The letter-books of Sir Amias Poulet, keeper of Mary Queen of Scots

RE^SE LIBRARY

11 Ul^fe¥ERSlTY 0« CAtlFORNIA

SIR AMIAS POULET

KEEPER OF MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS.

ROEHAMPTON :^
PRINTED BY JAMES STANLEY.

[All rights resefved.]

THE LETTER-BOOKS OF

SIR AMIAS POULET

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots.

EDITED BY

JOHN MORRIS,

Priest of the Society of Jestis.

LONDON :

BURNS AND GATES, PORTMAN STREET

AND PATERNOSTER ROW.
1874.

i^^.?^

E-SE

INTRODUCTION.

The present volume does not pretend to be a
complete history of that portion of the captivity
of the Queen of Scots of which it treats. It
gives no account of the greatest event of that
captivity, Mary's trial at Fotheringay, nor of the
tragedy that brought the long imprisonment to
an end. The reader is forewarned lest he should
be disappointed.

Neither is it a systematic defence of the inno-
cence of the captive and martyred Queen. The
substance of the book is from the pen of one of
her bitterest enemies, and if his words are accom-
panied with some comment, the spirit in which
that comment is written is certainly not that of
blind partizanship. The remarks elicited by the
letters of Sir Amias Poulet are everywhere kept
within very moderate compass, and are intended
solely to enable the reader to form a just and
intelligent judgment on the materials of history
now placed before him.

It happens certainly that the narrative of a
popular writer has been very frequently placed in
juxtaposition with the sources of information as to
facts, fidelity to which constitutes the difference

vi Introduction.

between a history and a romance. The examination
of Mr. Fronde's historical inaccuracy has, however,
been carried no further than strictly belonged to
the work in hand. Unhappily a single chapter of
that gentleman's History of England has sufficed
to furnish a number of unfounded statements, the
parallel of which it would be difficult to find in
any one claiming to occupy the judicial position
of a historian.

This book has been undertaken, then, not as
a defence of Queen Mary, nor as a reply to her
assailants, but only because, by a piece of singular
literary good fortune, letters unpublished and un-
known concerning the last months of the life of
the Queen of Scots came into the Editor s hands
through the kindness of his friend, Dr. Blackett.
The reader is the judge whether their interest
does not justify their publication. Elsewhere the
kindness of that friend is acknowledged, but the
Editor cannot fail in this place to repeat the
recognition of the obligation.

There is another friend by whom the comments
that accompany the letters have been carefully
revised, and for the help thus kindly given the
Editor finds it very difficult adequately to express
his gratitude. To the same hand the Editor and
the reader are alike indebted for the interesting
extracts from the Paris letters of Sir Amias Poulet,
and for the prefatory remarks by which they are
introduced.

The Editor is further bound to express his
obligations to the Rev. H. O. Coxe, Bodley's

Introduction. vii

Librarian, who, after the Manuscripts had been
purchased by the Library, kindly permitted them
to remain in the Editor s hands until the Press had
been corrected from them. If it were necessary to
give any proof of the authenticity of these docu-
ments, it would be afforded by the fact of their
purchase by the Curators of the Bodleian on the
recommendation of their experienced Librarian. It
is, however, unnecessary, for they speak for them-
selves. And besides, many original letters exist
in the British Museum and among our Public
Records, the copies of which are found in these
letter-books.^ For the books in question are the
clerk's copies, taken at the time, of the letters
written by Sir Amias Poulet. They occupy in all
forty-two folios, and are parts of three different
letter-books, the handwriting of each book being
different from that of the others. One was written
at Tutbury, the second at Chartley, and the last
at Fotheringay.

The portion surviving of the Tutbury letter-
book contains twelve letters to Lord Burghley, of
which six were already known ; fifteen letters and
a considerable fragment of a letter to Sir Francis
Walsingham, of which thirteen letters were known ;
two letters to the Earl of Leicester, and one to
Sir John Perrot. This is the concluding part of
the letter-book, and thus the letter with which it

^ As these letters have been passing through the press, the Editor has come
to the knowledge of the existence of some originals, of which he was not aware
when the first sheets were printed. The letters that are new to the public arc
thirty-eight in number, besides fragments, so that the statement made below
<p. 4) needs correction.

vili l7itrod7cctio7t.

ends is perfect. The dates of these letters are
from the latter end of May to August 19, 1585.
In this book there are seventeen folios.

The portion of the letter-book written at Chartley
commences and ends with fragments of letters to
Lord Burghley, to whom there are besides eight
letters, all new. This letter-book further contains
twenty-four letters to Walsingham, of Avhich four
only are new ; one letter to the Justices of Stafford,
one to M. Arnault, and one to Lord Howard of
Effingham, the Lord Admiral. The earliest date
in this letter-book is November 7, 1585, and the
latest May 25, 1586. There are fourteen folios in
this book.

The last fragmentary letter-book begins with
four lines of a letter to Queen Elizabeth, and
contains one letter to Earl Buckhurst, one to
Mr. Stallenge, one to the Earl of Leicester, one
to Sir John Perrot, five to Lord Burghley, of
which one is in the British Museum, ^yq to Sir
Francis Walsingham, two of which are in the
Record Office, and nine, with a portion of a tenth,
to Secretary Davison. This book begins at the
latter end of November, 1586, and the closing
letter is dated February 2, 1586-7. The letter-
book contains eleven folios.

It will be seen that it is to this last book that
we owe most of the letters hitherto unknown. But
though the letters preserved in the Public Record
Office and the British Museum have been hitherto
accessible, the interesting matter contained in them
is far from being exhausted, and they have largely

Iiitrodiution. ix

contributed to complete the series of letters now-
placed before the reader.

One liberty the Editor has unwillingly and
hesitatingly ventured to take with the letters. The
spelling Is modernized throughout. The phrases
and the words are otherwise unaltered ; but to
have left the difficulty presented to most readers
by the uncouth and Irregular spelling of the time
would have been to deter many from perusing the
book. An apology Is due to the antiquarian, for
whose contentment the letters quoted In the Preface
are given spelled as they are In the Manuscript.

There remains one duty, appropriate to this
place, and this is to show how Sir Amias Poulet
came to be chosen for the charge of the Queen
of Scots. For this appointment the letters written
by him when English Ambassador at Paris fully
account. They are now placed before the reader,
together with the Preface already mentioned, to
the writer of w^hlch the Editor renews his acknow-
ledgments and thanks.

J. M.

St. Beuno's College, St. Asaph,

April 25, 1874.

PREFACE.

The appointment of the Captain of Jersey to
succeed the Earl of Shrewsbury in the charge of
Mary Stuart was matter both of surprise and specu-
lation among contemporaries. Men were aAing
why, when others were to be had, the Queen sM^d
go to the West of England "to pick out Poulet?"^
Apart from the fact that neither his rank nor
fortune justified the choice, Poulet's health was so
completely broken, that Somers, then acting under
Sir Ralph Sadler, Mary's temporary keeper, strongly
urged the substitution of some fitter person. "^ Mean-
while Mary herself, evidently anxious, sent repeated

1 Infra, p. 19.

2 Infra, p. 4. Sadler also indirectly expostulated by writing letters after
he had received notice of Poulet's appointment, ignoring it completely, and
recommending other persons, notably Sir John Zouch, who had assisted the
Earl of Shrewsbury during his illness in 1569. Both Sadler and Somers wrote
under the impression that he was chosen only to assist Lord St. John of Bletso.
Poulet, it was well known, was heart and soul of Leicester's party, and for
years Leicester had covertly worked to have the Queen of Scots removed from
Shrewsbury's keeping into that of some man devoted to his policy. It was a
change which Mary had all along anticipated with dread as the prelude to
disaster. Nine years earlier she had written, ' ' Je sgay que Leicester tasche
par tous moyens de m'oster d'entre les mains de Shrewsbury, pour me tenir
en la garde de quelqu'un qui soit a sa devotion, et en lieu oil il ayt puis-
sance" (Mary to Glasgow, February 20, 1576; Labanoff, tom. iv., p. 298).
Shrewsbury himself points significantly to the repeated efforts of Mary's
enemies to get her out of his hands when, in the storm raised against him on
his step-daughter's marriage to Lord Charles Stuart, he tells Burghley that
"this great ado" is to be set down neither to the marriage nor personal
ill-will towards himself; "it is a greater matter, which I leave to conjecture,
not doubting but your lordship's wisdom hath foreseen it" (Lodge ii., p. 126).

Preface, xi

remonstrances to Elizabeth on the score that Poulet
during his embassy to Paris had shown himself her
enemy. The Queen wrote reassuringly, vindicating
Poulet's " dealings " while in France, and insisting
that her captive might every way feel herself safe
in the hands of a man of strict honour, who being
what he was, never could "do anything unworthy
of himself." ^ Walsingham and his mistress together
having made the choice, naturally all objections
raised went for nothing, and in April, 1585, just
one ^onitjiiafter the famous bond of association
hacL^een embodied in an Act of Parliament, Sir
Amias went down to Tutbury.^

Now keeping in view both the ground of Mary's
objection and the date of Poulet's entrance upon
his office, it may be worth while to look back to
the period of his embassy, and pass in review a few
specimens of his diplomatic correspondence which,
considering that through the very letters before us
Walsingham must have gained special insight into

^ Infra., p. 6.

^ Robertson, and a train of writers after him, assign as motive for the
change of Mary's guardian, that Elizabeth, considering that the Earl treated
his prisoner with over courtesy and indulgence, purposely placed her under a
man of inferior rank, who would be likely, with an eye to future favour or
preferment, to%be severely vigilant in his charge {Hist. Scotland, ii., p. 124).
An early biographer of the Queen of Scots, Strangvage, quoted by Mr. Ogle,
expounds the opinion current in his day. After giving as the reason alleged
by Elizabeth's Government for removing the prisoner, that a plot was on foot
for her escape, he goes on, " Moreover, there were letters shown as if they had
been intercepted in the which the friends of that Queen complained that all
their hopes were quite cut off, if she were but put into the custody of the
Puritans. Under this colour she was taken from Shrewsbury, and that of
purpose (as some thinke) that being driven into desperation she might be more
apt to take abrupt counsels, and more easie to be trapped. For Shrewsbury,
in all that fifteen yeeres, had so providently kept her, that there was no place
left of plots, for her or against her" (Strangvage, Life of Mary, p. 158. See
Shrewsbury to Elizabeth, December 29, 1573, Murdin, p. 272).

xli Preface,

the views, aims, and character of the Puritan envoy,
do, we think, throw a cross light on his appointment
at a particular juncture as keeper to the Queen of
Scots.

At the date of Poulet's Embassy (September,
1576) the course of events was shaping Elizabeth's
policy into open and active interference in the
Netherlands, a circumstance which probably in some
degree accounts for his being sent into France.
For Jersey had during his government served as
sanctuary to French Huguenots, and its Captain^
widely known for a thorough-going partisan of " the
religion," was exactly the man to be trusted by the
chiefs of that party in Flanders.

Poulet's official correspondence, as contained in
the well known Razvlinson MS.^ and its companion
volume, only lately brought to light, covers the
period from the end of May, 1577, up to August 29,
1578.^ It supplies interesting details respecting
advances made by the States to Elizabeth through
her envoy at Paris, and throws strong light on
the views and interests of both Courts, French
and English, in the Low Countries, and especially
on the action of the Queen-Mother, who busily
scheming for d'Alencon, contrives from first to last
by means of Poulet, a willing instrument, to stimu-
late Elizabeth's fears and jealousy of Spain and
of Don John. And the handling of these and
other matters affords details of Catharine's secret

^ Vide infra., p. 3.

2 Razolinson MS.^ A. 331 ; May 22, 1577— January 10, 158 J. Bodleian
Addl. MSS.f vii., C. 12. January 12, 157-^— August 29, 1578.

Preface. xiii

working against Mary Stuart, all pointing to the
fact that during the after course of events, she it
was whose strong hand kept back Henry III. from
active interference on behalf of his kinswoman.

Resolutely passing over much tempting matter
directly or indirectly bearing upon the history of
Mary Stuart, we choose as a sample of Catharine's
earlier workings for her favourite project, the joint
action of France and England against Spain, as
well as of Poulet's personal views and diplomatic
talents, part of a single despatch to the Secretaries.
It reports successive conversations with Mazzini
Delbena, an Italian hanger-on of the Queen-Mother,
into whose dexterous hands she seems to have put
the manipulation of the Ambassador.

"He [Delbena] tolde me of the great prepara-
cions made, by the Kings of Spaine and Portugal!
of xl. or 1. gallyes which should be sent into these
narowe seas, of the good successe of Don John in
the Lowe Countreys, of lykelihode of newe troubles
in Scotlande, of some things sounding to the dis-
honour of the Duke of Guyse, of the arryvall of
an Iryshe Bysshopp,^ and hereuppon long speche
passed betwene him and me, wherin I tooke a
contrary course to his expectacion, and, in dede,
would not seme to perceave wherunto he tendyd,
onlie I sayd that the greatnes of Don John in the
Lowe Countreys ought to be more suspected, and
might be more daungerous to France then to
Englande, which had the sea for his ramparte
betwene yt and the Spaniarde, wheras Fraunce

^ The Franciscan Bishop of Killaloe, Cornelius O'MuUrain.

xiv Preface.

had the Spaniard and his alyes his next neighbours
of everie syde."

Delbena next, skilfully shifting his ground to the
vulnerable points of England, her sister countries,
expatiates on the arrival at Court of the Irish
Bishop, come for the alleged purpose of demanding
Henry's justice on Breton pirates by whom he had
been robbed on his voyage from Lisbon. Upon
which, says Poulet :

'' I told him that this Irishe Bysshopp sholde
do well to aunswere to the roberyes which himself
hathe don of late upon some Englishe men, and
that yf justice were to be had in Fraunce against
Iryshe rebells or Irishe theves, I would not fayle
to bestowe this Irishe Byshopp where he shoulde
be forthe comyng. Then he asked me what I
herde out of Scotland. I aunsweryd that I was
advertised of some treating betwene them to
dysmysse the Regent, and to put the whole
Government into the Kings handes. We saye
here (sayeth he) that there [is] likelyhode of troubles
among them, and that Veracq, karver to Quene-
Mother, or Manderville,^ a gentleman of Normandye
shalbe sent thither shortlye, and that the motyon
of manage betwene the Scottlshe King and the
Princes of Lorrayne shalbe renewed.^ Do youe
thinke (quod I) that O. Mother wilbe a dealer

^ Mary to Glasgow, May 9, 1578. Labanoff, torn, v., p. 35. Both
de Verac and Mandreville, Catharine's Intendant of the Household,
had previously been sent into Scotland as agents of the French Govern-
ment. Mandreville's instructions for a special mission, dated May,
1578, a month later than the conversation between Poulet and Delbena, are
printed in Teulet.

2 Mary to Glasgow, September 15, 1578. Labanoff, torn, v., p. 58.

Preface, xv

in these matters ? He aunswerld that O. Mother
was greatlie affectyd to the Princesse, and was so
vehement In her affections, as she woulde some
tymes forgett her self in matters of greatest con-
sequence as sone as anye other, as had appeared
in the King that now ys whom contrarye to lawe
and reason, only because she loved him without
measure, she made him Lieftennant generall, and
(yf he might so call him) King of this realme,
when his brother yet lyved."

The talk then fell again upon the Low Countries,

Delbena trying, says Poulet, " to feel my opinion

touching the Spaniard." That opinion was given

frankly enough. Close union between France and

England, always a thing comfortable and profitable,

Sir Amias said, had in these days become a vital

necessity to both sides. Don John's ascendancy

in the Low Countries threatened danger to all his

neighbours, but, beyond all others, danger to France.

For, lying full open to the Spaniard, it behoved her

to beware lest she should be the first to fall '' under

the tyranny of that barbarous nation." United,

France and England would be strong enough to

beat off the threatened peril, to drive Don John

and his Spaniards out of Flanders, to restore that

country to its ancient rights, and make it, instead

of being, as now, the battle-ground of nations, what

it had been in old times, the market-place of Western

Europe. But — here perhaps the Puritan envoy was

carried away beyond Elizabeth's Instructions — but

only in France and by Henry's own hand, could the

foundations of this most wholesome amity be laid.

xvi Preface.

For how could England join hands with France
while her King persecuted the religion professed by
the Queen of England ? As a thing essential to a
solid friendship between the two countries, Henry
must at once make a lasting peace with his Pro-
testant subjects on such terms as ''woulde make
yt to appeare unto the worlde that he did not hate
their religyon, and dyd admytt the same in his
realmes and domynions frankly, and with his good
will. I sayed experience had showyd that this
religion had taken suche roote in the harts of this
people, as the same was not to be removyd by fyre,
sworde, or anye other vyolence whatsoever, and
that the successe of things from tyme to tyme
contrarye to the opynion of all men dyd wytnesse
plainely that God had decreyd to plant his gospell
in this countrie, and woulde mainteyn yt against all
worldly power whatsoever."

On this matter Sir Amias protested that he
had spoken his mind as a good Christian, a loyal
Englishman, and a sincere friend and well-wisher
to France ; he cared not if all the Kings and
Queens in Europe heard his words, and he bade
Delbena carry them back to those who had
sent him. The words were heart-felt, spoken too
with a fearless honesty from which it is impossible
to withhold respect; yet we do nofforget the while
that the speaker set geographical limits to the virtue
of tolerance. Across the Channel Poulet could
preach up its duties to Catharine de Medicis. At
home, ever insatiate even over the full measure of
fine, prison, rack and gibbet, dealt out by Elizabeth

Preface. xvii

to those of her subjects professing the same faith
as Henry III., it was with him perpetual cause of
bitter complaint that "her Highness doth so dandle
the Catholics." Finally, Sir Amias, looking back
to real business, let Catharine's agent know that if
there were to be friendship with France the marriage
scheme between James and a Princess of Lorraine
must be quashed, and that, for the future, " Scottish
matters " must be left entirely in Elizabeth's hands.
Going straight from Poulet to Catharine, Delbena
reported the conference. The Queen-Mother, ignor-
ing the sermon on tolerance altogether, returned as
her answer that she was willing to strike a bargain
with Elizabeth. Only let the latter make a league
offensive and defensive with Henry in view of their
joint action in the Netherlands, and from that day
forward " Scotland shoulde be lefte to the dispo-
sycion of her Highnes, and that nothing shoulde
be done from hence to the contrarie. . . . Also
he usyd many arguments, and made a long recytall
of many things paste to perswade me that Quene-
Mother never loved the Scottishe Quene, which I
canne be easlelie inducyd to beleve, and would
have beleved hym herein the rather yf he had not
sayed the lyke of the King of Spaine. But the
truthe ys that she lovethe and hatythe as makethe
most for her profytt. ... As this woman canne
make her profytt of tymes and occasyons, and
perchaunce sekethe to serve her tourne without
respecte to the right or the wrong. So I truste
her Majestie will not refuse in juste and honorable

causes to make oportunytes when they are profered,
b

xviii Preface,

which being plainely ment will serve to represse
the insolencie of the Spaniarde, to discover the
suttelties of the Scott, and to assure those of the
religyon here in suche sorte as yf they be wyse
they will not be easelie removed herafter."^

Among other topics of these letters, Poulet's
comments on the civil war raging in France during
the first year of his embassy,^ may be next men-
tioned as exhibiting him in the combined character
of dogmatist and statesman, and as offering at the
same time some curious illustrations of his code of
political morals.^ It was a bitter and a bloody
struggle. Sismondi, the Protestant historian, gives
a melancholy description, not only of the miseries
entailed upon France through the long series of
religious wars, but of the frightful demoralization
of the Huguenot army during the campaign of 1577.
Their early religious enthusiasm dying out had, he
says, given place to a fierce spirit of vengeance, and
moreover that living at free quarters in the country,

1 To the Secretaries, April 2, 1578.

2 The sixth religious war, which broke out January, 1577, and was ended
by the peace of Bergerac in the following September.

^ It belonged to Poulet's official duties during the war to endeavour to
blind Henry as to the covert aid Elizabeth was sending to his revolted
subjects. Whenever this subject is discussed, the dialogue between himself
and the King or Queen-Mother invariably exhibits a personal trait in the
Puritan envoy. While equal to a fair amount of shuffling and evasion, Sir
Amias cannot command himself to tell a direct falsehood. Where this is
imperative, he gets over the difficulty by becoming a mere mouthpiece for
his mistress: *'I told him (Henry) that your Majesty had commanded me
to assure him of your innocency in these things, "&c. The thing, a trifle in
itself, invites comparison with the dialogue of the Fotheringay letter-book,
where Poulet holding, by Elizabeth's order, talk with Mary Stuart for the
sole purpose of extorting some admission of her guilt, can yet never bring
himself to charge her simply and directly with her imputed crime {j.nfra^
p. 330)-

Preface, xlx

*'c'est a dire par un vrai brigandage," the troops
had come to rival their former companions-in-arms,
the Reiters, in brutality and licence.^ Now all that
Sismondi describes, Elizabeth's envoy, following
in the wake of the Court through the disturbed
provinces, saw with his own eyes. Nor, as many
of the despatches bear him honourable witness, was
he a man who could unmoved contemplate the
widespread popular misery. Take as example, one
letter where Sir Amias, the human heart within
him quickening his prolix English into force and
terseness, paints the situation in a few graphic
sentences.

" God longe preserve you In peace and quietnes,
if it be His good pleasure, and deliver you and
your contrey from the myserles and calamities of
this poore realme, which are such and so great as
a Cristlan enymie shalbe movid to have pittie of
them ; and many do thinke the same have not
growne of anie one cause more then of the particular
quarrells of some great personages, which often
tymes have their begening of nothing, and for
nothinge, being neclected as thinges of nothinge,
growe afterwardes to be somwhatt, and many
tymes ireconcyliable. You woulde thinke that the
oppressions which this realme hath endulrde within
these fower monethes were Inoughe to destroye
a mightle kingdome. One armye in Poictou and
Guyenn, the other before La Charlte, the third
in the borders for doubte of the Reistres, Bussy
d'Amboise in Anjou with great companies. I

' Histoire des FrangaiSf torn, xix,, p. 447.
b 2

XX Preface,

spake nothinge of those of the religion, who are
forcyd by necessytle to comitt spoyles daylye; le
don komme Is eaten to the bone, and is manye
tymes beaten, hurt, and kylled because he will
not geve that which he hath not."^

But how strangely in contrast with the tone of
feeling which marks the above letter is that of an
official despatch, written not a month afterwards.
In view of the preliminaries then going forward
for the peace of Bergerac, Poulet is urging his
mistress to prolong hostilities by once again bring-
ing Casimir and his Reiters upon the country.

*' Manle here of good judgment are perswadyd
that the suerty and safty of the Protestants depen-
deth altogether of the coming or not coming of the
Reistres, and that the K[ing] is incensyd with such
furye against the trewe relygion as he will never
condescend to anie reasonable condicions of peace
untill he shalbe constrayned by the sworde, which
cannot be expected of the French sworde, the odds
being of the King s syde without comparison. . . .
Manie other circomstances may seme worthy to be
consydered, and espetiallie that if this tract of tyme
may be anie waye profittable unto the Protestants
which are nowe the weaker, how much may it be
more profittable unto the Papists which are now
the stronger, who maketh his profitt of the presente
tyme and will provide to be the lyke for the tyme
to come. I have hard saye that the defence ys as
just where an offence is expectid as where the
offence is given allready, so as the defence doe not

^ Poulet to Sir George Speke, Tours, May, 1577. *

Preface, xxi

proceed of needlesse feare or mallceous covetous-
nes. And If this rule be trewe, yt shalbe meete for
Christian princes to consider in tyme yf they be not
already dryven to thys necessytie, as eyther must
offer violence in season or suffer violence out of
season. If religion were not a sworne quarrel],
whoe can looke that when the Protestants here
shalbe underfoote, that these their army wilbe ydle
att home ? Yf att other tymes yt hath benej re-
ceived for a maxime that Fraunce must alwayes
have some warre in hande, how much more now
when they have ben unsetled as they cannott
abyde to lyve in peace ? God graunt the end of
these things to redounde to the glorye of God,
to the honor of your Majestie, and of all other
trew Christian princes, and to the comfort of the
poore afflycted Church of Christ."^

Poulet's eloquence fell dead, for Elizabeth at
the time having other schemes on hand, showed
no disposition to repeat her notorious breaches of
the treaty of Blois. Peace was concluded, and
Sir Amias finds his only consolation in bewailing
to Secretary Wilson that —

"" Our enemies are manie, craftie, and malicious,
and resolute to do us all the hurt that they may;
our frindes are few, or non at all. Our selfes so
full of conscience that our conscience will not serve
to defend ourselves from knowen and manifest
daungers."^

These maxims, that where offence is expected

"^ To the Queen, Tours, June 22, 1577.
* To Dr. Wilson, November, 1577.

xxli Preface.

defence is as lawful as where the offence has been
given, that conscience is not to be allowed to stand
in the way of important issues, with kindred axioms
flowing from the teaching that all means used
towards a good end become lawful, find frequent
expression under various forms in the letters.
Here we have before us the evil doctrine, which,
falsely charged against the Jesuits, did in truth
govern the counsels of Elizabethan statesmen, and
which received its fullest illustration in their action
against Mary Stuart. Light burden of conscience
to Poulet and his chiefs could be the deepest
personal wrong, provided only that the private
wrong served the great interests of the common-
wealth and of ''the religion."^

Sent into France under Leicester's patronage,
Poulet, as might be expected, shows himself an
active enemy of the Queen of Scots. About that
time a restlessness in Ireland, the state of parties
in Scotland, and the irritation of the oppressed
Catholics at home, all seemed to be opening the
way to some united movement of the Catholic
Powers for the rescue of Elizabeth's prisoner, and
considerable apprehension was felt on the subject

^ Burghley's declaration that he bore no ill-will to the Queen of Scots,
but that he only "did intend principally the service and honour of God,
and jointly with it, the surety and quietness of my sovereign lady, the Queen's
Majesty {Stjype, ii., c. xxxvi, p. 385); Poulet's asseveration over the pillage
at Chartley, " I renounce my part of the joys of Heaven if in anything I have
said, written, or done, I have had any other respect than the furtherance of
her Majesty's service" {infra, p. 291) ; and the well-known evasion with which
Walsingham rose to his feet when charged face to face by Mary, on the
Fotheringay trial, with having used forgeries to compass her destruction ;
these may one and all be mentioned as entirely supporting the above
conclusion.

Preface, xxiii

l)y the English Government, an uneasiness height-
ened by the circumstance that Mary, despairing
of help from Henry and Catharine de Medicis, had
then openly thrown herself upon the protection of
Spain, and was, also, negotiating the removal of
her young son from Scotland into France, to be
brought up by her kinsmen of the house of Lor-
raine. And while she was working to carry out
her plans, the situation received fresh complications
through collateral intrigues, of which she had,
without her sanction, become the object. Don
John, Philip's half-brother, appointed governor of
the Netherlands in 1576, was looking forward,
after the settlement of the Provinces, to a raid
upon England for the purpose of giving Mary
.her freedom, and of claiming her hand as its price.
These are topics upon which Sir Amias never
grows weary of ringing the changes. Parts of the
correspondence indeed strike us as written for the
express purpose of agitating Elizabeth's mind.
Warnings of domestic conspiracy, rumours current
in France that Don John had already peremptorily
demanded the hand of the Queen of Scots,^ that
having broken prison, she was in the field at the
head of English forces, while the whole Catholic
confederacy was arming to set her on her rival's
throne ; France and Spain in league to crush
England ; Don John arriving on the eastern coast,

^ Here and elsewhere we get sight of a haRd sowing the rumours. ** Twoe
■such as I knowe to be spyes for Q[ueen] Mother have tould me within these
•twoe dayes that Don John hath sent to your Majestic to requier the Queen
of Scoots for his wife, and because this tale cometh from suspected men, I
'doubt it hath some further meaning" (To the Queen, August, 1577).

xxiv Preface.

Spain and the Guise behind him, while simultane-
ously Westmoreland and Fitzmaurice seize Ireland :
these and the like alarms are perpetually iterated,
and Avell besprinkled with dark sayings, which read
in the light of the Fotheringay letter-book become
palpably clear.

Poulet's despatches did their work. Mary's
enemies drew occasion from them to put the Queen
into a paroxysm of fear and suspicion. Mary was
straitened in her prison, and intrigues were renewed
for removing her from Shrewsbury's guardianship
into ''surer keeping."^ They did their work in that
day, — they have come down to our own an indis-
putable proof that, as a preliminary to Walsingham's
contrivances against her, the captive was knowingly
and deliberately put into the hands of a declared
enemy.

We find Poulet at his first interview with his
prisoner after arriving at Tutbury, frankly admitting
that while Ambassador at Paris, he had been " care-
ful and curious over Morgan's doings."^ Now it
happens that the Paris despatches reveal the secrets
of this surveillance, presenting a story so curious
in itself, so illustrative both of Walsingham's tactics,
and of Poulet's personal character, and withal, so
deeply significant when viewed in connection with
his after appointment, that it will be worth while to
let Sir Amias tell it for us in his own words.

The following is part of a letter from him to-

1 Burghley to Shrewsbury, September 7, 1577. Lodge ii^, p. 163. Pnblu
Record Office MSS.y Mary Queen of Scots, vol. xi., nn. 2, 3, 4, 5-
^ Infra, f p. 8.

Preface. xxv

Sir Francis Walsingham, dated January 8, 1577-8,
and is the only one In the series taken from the
Rawlinson Manuscript. The others have, we
beheve, been hitherto unknown.

'' Yt may please your honor to be advertised
that the xxvljth of the last, M. D.^ resorted to
my lodglnge, where he declared unto mee that
after many meetlnges and conferences with J. B.,
the said J. had now at the last assured hym that
he was accqualnted with all the particularyties of
the D[uke] of N[orfolk] his treason, as also with
all that was practised by the Pope and the KpngJ
of Spalne by the negotiation of Radolpho,^ and
that uppon assurance of consideration worthy of
a service of this ymportance, he woulde reveale
all his knowledge. And further, whereas M[organ]
now beinge in this Towne, ys not Ignorant of
the bottom of all the latter conspiracies betwene
the Queene of Scotts and her confederats, under
pretence to goe with the said M [organ] to Rome,
he woulde deliver hym into the handes of soche
as her Majestie woulde appoint at Caseluther^ or
Heddberge.* The said D. protesting that he
woulde not be the instrument to effectuat this
devise onleast he might receave her Majesties
promise that the said M[organ] shoulde not be
touched In his lyfe, which beinge saved, he referred
hym in all other thinges to the conslderacion of
her Highnes. He added that he woulde be con-
tented that J. B. shoulde also be aprehended and
sent into England with the other, uppon promise

^ Mazzini Delbena. '-^ Ridolfi. ^ Kaiserlautem. * Heidelberg.

xxvi Preface,

that he shoulde not be yll used ; as indeede (saythe
he) belnge the meane of the aprehenslon of
M[organ], he doethe deserve good intertainement.
He concluded that thels thinges could not be
performed onleast yt woulde please her Majestie,
or you, Mr. Walsingham, in her behalfe, to assure
hym by two or three wordes that J. should be
well recompensed, who woulde do nothinge untill
he might see his letres of warrant for his assurance.
*' I asked hym yf J. coulde not be perswaded
to acept my worde and promise for his satisfaction,
and to be contente to make presente declaracion
of his knowledge in theis thinges, because I coulde
not tell if the same might be soche as woulde abide
no delay. He said (as before) that B. woulde do
nothinge onlesse he had his warrant out of England.
I toulde hym I doubted not but that he did already
understand all that M[organ] did know, and there-
fore shoulde do well to reveale the same, with
his owne knowledge in the other thinges before
specified, which might serve to good purpose,
although M[organ] were aprehended. He answered
that yt was not possible to get any thinge from
M[organ], wherin B. had don all that he coulde,
but in vayne, and that if the saide J. shoulde presse
M[organ] herein, he woulde not only repulse hym,
but also conceave an yll opinion of hym, and woulde
wryte to the frindes of the said J. in Englande to
his discredyt. But (quoth I) where will you fynde
that Prince in Cristendom, and specially in Germany,
where they make great accompte of theire privi-
1 edges, and dare not doe any thinge that shalbe to

Preface. xxvii

the derogacion of the same, yf for no other cause
then to avoyd the displeasure of the other Princes
theire neighbours, that will deliver a straunger
into the hands of any Prince whatsoever[?] That
ys no parte (saythe he) yt ys you that must looke
to that. Yt is a matter that must be considered,
quod I. D[uke] C[asimir], saithe he, will not
refuse the Q[ueen] your mistres, no more then
the P. of S. hathe done already for J. I toulde
[him] J. was never delivered. In deede you say
truly, sayeth he, but yt shalbe ynoughe for the
Q[ueen] your mistres, yf he be examyned upon
tortures or otherwise, at her pleasure, which [no]
prince that ys frinde to her Majestie will deny.
And I dare take yt upon me (saythe he), that this
shalbe don at Seddan.^ I concluded that when
a man coulde not do as he woulde, he must be
content to do as he could. And because D. made
no mencion of any consideracion to be used
towardes hymselfe, I thought good to use soch
speaches as might serve to assure hym that he
should not finde her Majestie ungratefull."

Next day the Queen- Mother's agent again visits
Poulet for the purpose of sounding him as to the
intentions of his mistress towards the Archduke
Matthias, and proposes that England and France
should conjointly erect the Netherlands into an
independent sovereignty, with a view to use it as
a lever against the power of Philip in Europe.
After detailing the dialogue, Poulet pronounces his
opinion.

^ The Duke de Bouillon was sovereign of Sedan.

xxvili . Preface,

"■ The firste matter hath ben handled with great
dexteritie; these twoe honest men employing all
theire conninge, that D. ys not ignorant of all that
J. knoweth. But the prodigalytie of J. coulde not
be maintayned, nor his necessitle relived yf D.
should utter his knowledg in this matter without
the helpe of the other. Also yt is not for nothing
that this matter hath ben defered untill this
presente. Wherin he knewe as much twoe
monethes paste as nowe, and dyd then put me in
great hope that he woulde revele his knowledg
unto me without delaye, and therefore there is
some other mysterie in this tract of tyme. I am
not ignorant that ther is great and straight frindship
between J. and M[organ], and ame more then halfe
perswaded that he [isj acquainted with all that
M[organ] knowethe, and theirfore this prety con-
veighans is also to be consedered. These men
are not unknowne [to erased^, and therfor [it]
shalbe mete to deale warely with them, so as, yf
there conning have a further reache, the same
may fall uppon theire owne pates. Touching the
second polnte, I take it to be most certain that
this man came not unto me of himself, but was
sent by great personages, wherin manie things
maye be devined which are without the compase
of my charge, and therfore leave them to your
wysdomes. He is no doubt a faithfull servant to
O. Mother, and therfore I dealt as warely as I
could with him, and yt seameth worthie to be
notted that he shewed himself very yll content
that I would not allowe his proposition, wherin,

Preface. xxix

no doubte, as in all other of this question, he
sheweth great treachery. Yf this matter shalbe
followed, yt may please your honor to send
Mr. Beale or some suche other sufficient man
hether unto me, as well for my assystance herin,
as also to serve for a wittnes of my doinges,
because these things may touche I cannot tell
whom."

John Blackbourne, the non-juring Bishop, has
printed this letter in the collection prefixed to his
edition of Bacon's works, fol. Lond., 1730.^ Black-
bourne says, as Mr. Ogle has pointed out in his
Preface,^ that it *' lays the scene " of the Queen of
Scots much deeper than any other intelligence,
and also that it ''accounts for the reason why
the Queen of Scots was afterwards committed
to the custody of Sir Amyas Powlett, since he
seems to have made the first discovery of her
practices and to have been master of the whole
secret."^

In the next letter, J. B. appears in person. He
bargains for a round sum down from Elizabeth —
the amount he will leave to her Majesty's gener-
osity. In return he promises information respecting
the Duke of Norfolk's affair and ''certain practises"
of La Mothe Fenelon while ambassador in London.
Also "he hath renewed his former promise touching
Morgan." Beyond this he offers, for a pension, to
live at the French Court as Poulet's spy, " affirming
that he hath great credit with the Cardinal of

^ Macray's Catalogue of Rawlinson MSS.y A. 331.
* Pouht's Letters i Roxburghe Club, 1866. ^ Vol. i., p. 36.

XXX Preface.

Guise. I knowe not," the letter goes on, "ho we
importante his service maye be in these olde
matters, but I take yt to be most certaine that in
the occurrents of this presente tyme he is able to
doe great and singuler service, having good credytt
with the Frenche and Spanishe of better sorte. I
am unworthie to geve councell in a matter of this
waight, and woulde be as sorie to encrease her
Majesties charge as anie other. But considering
the state of this presente tyme, I wyshe him to be
intertained, yea, liberallye intertaynede. The burden
is not contynuall, and may be shaken of when yt
shall please her Majestie, but the profytt of one
howers service maye be tasted manie yeares her-
after, to the comforte of her Majestie, and all her
trew subjects ; and the best service in these badd
dayes ys comonlye don by the worst men. ... A
wyse man and well affected to religion hath tolde
me of late that we are too good in Englande ; and
that yf Morgan had bene well handeled, he woulde
have dyscoverid manie thinges which are nowe
secret, and then coulde not have don the hurte
which he now doythe ; and that Guarras^ is ac-
quainted with great practises, and ought to be
intreated to reveale them.^

Allusions to men of this stamp, " hired Papists"
Poulet calls them, who traded in the secrets of the

^ Antonio de Guaras, Spanish factor at London, at that time in the Tower
for writing to the Queen of Scots.

2 Poulet to the Secretaries, January 24, 1578. Bodleian Library,
Additional MSS., vii., C. 12. Under this reference the subsequent letters
will also be found.

Preface. xxxi

Catholic party with Walsingham, are frequent in
the correspondence. In his more respectable cha-
racter of spy and informer, the fellow was hired
on the spot. Poulet forwards intelligence and
stolen letters procured by ''my new acquaintance,"
the ''matter of recompense" meanwhile waiting her
Majesty's pleasure. J. B. was a well born English
scoundrel, of the same type as Edward Woodshawe,
who three years before had offered his services as
spy and poisoner, to Burghley. Burghley had not
scrupled in 1575 to hire Woodshawe to entrap the
Earl of Westmoreland on his way from Flanders
into France,^ and " carry him dead or alive to
England ; " and now Walsingham was equally
ready to hire J. B. to perform the same good
offices for Morgan. But his answer coming some-
what slowly. Sir Amias, feverish under the
delay, writes some weeks afterwards to Beale,
whom he had asked Walsingham to send out,
in case Delbena's proposals were to be enter-
tained.

" Suche ys the malyce of this wycked tyme
wherein good things go slowlye forwardes, and
evyll practyses want no furtherance. I wrote my
opynyon to Mr. Walsingham long sythens of the
badd felowe, and nowe of late I have wryten no
lesse to Doctour Boutteryshe, intending to do the
lyke to Duke Cazymir. This man hathe done
greate hurte alreadie, and groweth in abyllite and
credytt to do more and more. . . . You wyshe
some good occasyon to bring you hether, and I

^ Mr. Froude tells the story; History of England, vol. x., p. 347.

xxxii Preface.

cannot expresse how much I desyre to see youe
here."i

Two days later, Walsingham's messenger had
come. Elizabeth sent a hundred crowns, with pro-
mise of future reward. The spy was furious that
so paltry a price should be set upon services which,
as he said, put his very life in risk. " I cannot
expresse unto youe ho we J. B. stormed and raged,
as well in wordes as in contenance," wrote Poulet,
..." he sayed that he marvelled verie muche that
her Majestie made no better accompte of his
service, which he knewe could assure her person
and State from manie daungers, that he estemed
lytell of [the] crownes, that he was not ignorant
of the dealinge of Princes of this tyme, that
they would make theire profyt of all men, that
when their tourne was served they had litle care
of the instrument ; that he had profered his service
to her Majestie, viij yeres paste. . . That he had
alreadie made good demonstracione of his good
affection towards her Majesties service, that he
received nothing againe from her Majestie, her
present gyftes being of no valewe, and her
rewarde to come uncertaine, and therfore with
manie thanks for my good wyll and greate protes-
tacion of his greate affection towardes me, tolde me
that he woulde deale no further therin." Upon
this threat, both argument and persuasion were
tried with B. Among other things Poulet told
him — '* That he had great cause to thinke well of

^ To Beale, March ii, 1578.

Preface. xxxlli

her Majesties prefer, that her acceptance of his
servyce, and promise of reward was signified unto
him under the signe and seale of one of her
Councellors, and by the mouth of her Ambassador
. . . that her Highnes had promysed to consider
him hberalHe, that she would performe yt."^

Relenting under iterated assurances of this kind,
B., for whose crafty wits his patrons slow brain
proved a poor match, at last agreed to continue
his service as spy, but was resolved " to deal no
further in this matter." That was to be his last
word. Later on, however, he contrived to let the
Ambassador know that a higher bid might shake
even his resolution, and finally Poulet was able to
report in triumph that '' now J. hath given himself
to her Majesty, and doth promise to send me
something in writing very secretly." Poulet was
all eagerness and self-importance. Clearly Heaven
had destined him as the man whose wisdom should
unravel every clew and winding of conspiracy, and
above and beyond all else, provide the swift *' occa-
sion" for applying Cecil's " remedy." The *' some-
thing in writing" he seems to forward in this letter
as a foretaste of what might be forthcoming if only
Royalty could be prevailed with to be openhanded.

" Yt maye please your honors to be adver-
tised of the occasyon of this despatche by these
coppies inclosyd, not doubting but my letres
to her Majestie wilbe impartyd unto youe, and
maye suffice to acquainte youe with my symple

^ Poulet to the Secretaries, March 13, 1578.

xxxiv Preface,

opynyon herein. . . I referre these other copies
inclosed to the consyderaclon of your wysedomes,
wyshlng rather that these faultes be dyssembled
for a season then to enter into anye actyon that
maye bewraye the meane of discoverle, which may
hinder a better service in matters of greater import-
ance. There ys great hope or rather yt is most
certaine that great things wilbe discoveryd by this
instrument, and therefore yt weare a great fauke in
my symple opynion yf he shoulde not be lyberallie
intertaynde, wherein I will wryte more particularlie
unto your honors by my nexte messenger."^

On the same day, he writes to Walsingham.
*' Although I have addressyd my other letres
joyntlle unto your honor and Mr. Wylson, which
coulde not but be don otherwyse in my opynion,
yet I have comandyd this bearer my servant yf
he doe not finde youe att Grertewyche, wherof I
have willed him to make secrett inquyrie, to seke
you at London or els where, and to deliver these
letres firste unto your honor, in the which youe
shall finde inclosyde the copie of my letres to her
Majestie, as knowythe the Almightie, who alwayes
preserve your honor." ^

The letter inclosed, of the 19th, to the Queen,
except a few lines at the end, is wanting.

On the 25th, Walsingham still keeping silence,
Sir Amias took it upon himself to appeal to the
Queen. He encloses, he says, a copy of *'a dis-

^ To the Secretaries, March 19, 1578.
* To Walsingham, March 19, 1578.

Preface. xxxv

course delyverid unto me of late by one that pro-
fesseth all fideletle and service to your Highnes,"
and "because this sayd wrytinge makythe mencyon
of a great personages, I am bolde to imparte the
same onlle to your [Majestle]." The rest of this
folio has been cut out of the book, but the next
shows Poulet deep in argument for an offer of
higher terms to *' B." " Corrupted Instruments,"
and especially such as have credit with the English
rebels and other enemies are not easy to be
found, and therefore they that may be obtained
ought not to be refused for the price. Money so
spent in good time will spare the fitting out of
fleets and armies afterwards, and " that penny Is
well laid out that saveth the spending of many
pounds." Merchants are willing to make ventures,
and so must sovereigns, and rewards and pen-
sions are the merchandise of princes. Pardon
he craves for boldness, but how can loyalty
suffer him to keep silence while ''your honorable
and most happie State ys envyed and threatened
of everle syde, and subjecte to present daunger
if present remedy be not applyed. ... I have
dispatched this bearer with the more dllllgence
douting least the Spanlshe Ambassador might
have so muche credytt with your Majestle to
procure the delyverance of Guarace before the
receipt of these letres, and indede I might per-
ceave by his owne speche when he was yet here,
that this matter was especiallle recomendyd unto
hym. Yt maye please your Majestle to consider
yf yt shall more further your service that this

C 2

xxxvi Preface.

Morgan be apprehendyd, or that he contynewe
here so longe as youe are provided of an other
that is inward with hym that maye discover his
secretts. I finde the humour of this Instrument,
and do feede ytt as well as I canne, having
alreadie receaved some promyses of hym to
reveale his whole knowledge unto me, and to
referre his recompense to your Highnes pleasure,
but when he comyth to the executyon he recant-
ethe, doubting least when he hathe saide what he
canne, he shalbe shaken of without rewarde." ^

This letter to Walsingham despatched the same
day may count among the curiosities of diplomatic
literature.

" I have no other refuge In my necessyties then
in your good friendshipp, and therfore do nowe
most humblle praie your honor to geve me leave
to deale boldlle with youe, and to referre myself
to your good advice, belnge not Ignorante that
your wysedome and experiens will easelie consider
what maye be most expedyent to be done herein.

" Youe maye perceave by these copies inclosed
what I have wryten to the Queue, and yf youe shall
thinke good to delyver my letres to her Majestic
then yt maye please youe not to be knowen that
youe have receyved these copies, and maye tell
Mr. Wylson that youe founde the Queues letres
in the pacquet. But if youe shall finde suche imper-
fection In my letres as youe shall thinke that they
will not be agreable to her Majestie, then I shall

^ To the Queen, March 25, 1578.

Preface, xxxvll

moste humblye praye youe to detaine them, and
to delyver onlle the cople inclosyd, bering her
Highnes in hande that youe have receyved the
said copie in your paquet. I am perswaded that
before I am six dayes older, the partie will tell
me all that he knowyth, althoughe yt shall not
be mete that youe take any knowledge that I am
in this hope, and therfore yt maye please your
honor to geve me your advice by your next
dispatche in what order I shall make advertise-
ment therof. Yf in ciphre, yf by the reporte of
my Sonne, yf by letres onlie to her Majestie, and
of suche other cyrcomstances appertaining. I am
not ignorant of your great wante of leasure, and
yet I shall most humblie praie youe to spare me
some fewe lynes for my satisfaction herein. Yf I
were worthie to geve her Majestie councell, a
present shoulde be made to this partie of 300
crownes, and a promyse of a pension of the lyke
some by the yeare. He hath refused the hundred
crownes, as you maye understande by my former
letres, and yet he hath borowed of me sythens that
tyme 130 crownes at one tyme, and 80 crownes
at an other tyme, and I thinke yt well bestowed,
yf I should paye yt x. tymes of my owne purse.
I cannot perswade hym to make anye demaunde,
reffering hym selfe wholie to her Majesties good-
nes. Yt is easie to see that he dealethe plainelie
and franklie. I write openlie unto you, but I
have taken suche order with the messangers, as
I trust my letres shall come safelie unto youe.
Thus your honor seeth how boldly I deale with

xxxviii Preface,

youe, as one that presumeth of your favour. Yf
my opynlon of the yerlle pension be thought to
great, lett the rewarde in hand be the more Hbe-
rall. Yt is not reason that any man shoulde be
caryed awaye with bare promyses where there
is questyon of lyving and lyf We stumbell at
strawes, and leape over blockes. And thus, &c."^

Walsingham must have seen that his friend's
zeal, overriding his natural caution, was putting
him into the hands of a practised and greedy
scoundrel. He suppressed the letter to Elizabeth,
and probably sent a warning. But Poulet, though
he answers humbly, thanking the Secretary for
saving his credit and " hiding my [great erase(f\
faults from her Majesty and the Council,"^ held like
a sleuth-hound to his scheme for striking through
Morgan at Morgan's mistress. Here is the epi-
logue to the story.

" I cannot expresse unto your honor howe sorie
I was to receave your letres sent by Tupper, and
I praye God this pinching sparing be not repentid
when spending will not helppe ytt, wherin yf I were
worthie to geve councell I woulde her Majestic
to spare no charge to knowe all the treasons of
all tymes and ages, and woulde perchaunce be of
opynion that when these treasons are knowen they
shoulde never be discoveryd. These matters do
not depende of my consideracion, and therfore
I leave them to the better judgement of my
supperyours, being not a lyttell satisfied with the
testymonie of my conscyence that I have done my

1 To Walsingham, March 25, 1578. ^ Tq Walsingham, April 15, 1578.

Preface, xxxix

dewtie. But yf these greate and older things
maye be forborne, yet who would loose the service
of suche an instrument for the discoverie of the
presente doings of this deceytfull tyme. He hathe
geven good testymoney that he hath good creditt
with a great number of our principall adversaries,
Romysshe, Scottishe, and Englishe, and nowe the
newe Nuntio ys expected after twoe or three daies
with whom he is famylliarye acquainted. None
more likelye to fall dangerouslye then those which
have eyes and cannot see. We see our daungers,
but we will not avoide them, or rather we canne
not, because God hathe desired our punishement.
Yt maye please youe to have care of my revoca-
tion as tyme and occasyon will serve youe. I
am, wheresoever I am, at your commandement, as
knoweth the Almightie whoe alwayes preserve your
honor. From Paris, the xxiiij of Aprill, 1578."

Comment would be wasted upon this episode
of Poulet's embassy. Enough to say that it reveals
the strong fact that Walsingham, when he sent
Sir Amias down to Tutbury, knew him from past
experience for a man who would be found willing
to connect himself with *' instruments " like Gifford
and Phelippes, and who would, keeping the end
in view, approve and abet the worst intrigues
against Mary Stuart. Elizabeth's knowledge of
the plot against Morgan also goes some way to
explain her anger and disappointment when Poulet
refused to act upon her instigation for secretly
cutting off his prisoner.

SIR AMIAS POULET'S LETTERS.

PAGE

To Queen Elizabeth—

1585 April . . . 7

1586 November . .312

To Lord Burghley—

1576 September 8

1585 May . . . . . , 32

June ........ 35,36,44,47

July . . . . . . . . 57, 62, 66, 68

August 75, 83, 88, 89

December 123

1586 January .... ... 129, 134, 136

March . . 157

April 171

May 182, 188

August 272, 279

November 308

December 321, 322, 327, 329

1587 January 343

To Sir Francis Walsingham—

1585 April 10

May 17, 28

June . 33, 36

July 48,59,60,63,70

August 71, 72, 77, 84

September 89, 94, 97

October 99> 102, 109(2), in

xlll Sir Amias Poulefs Letters.

PAGE

November 132

December 120, 121, 124.

1586 January . . . . . . . . Y35, 137

February 137, 152, 138, 139, 140

March 154,155,161,163,164

April 169, 174

May 178, 180, 181

Undated . . . . . 189, 191, 193, 195, 196
June 200,201,203,208,210,211

July 215, 224, 244,246(2), 247

August . . 248, 251, 258, 268, 270, 271, 275, 279(2)

September 288, 292, 293, 294

October . ... . . . 294, 298, 300, 304.

November 308,310,311

December 320, 323, 325

1587 January 340, 345

February . . . . . . . . 361, 366

To Secretary Davison—

1586 November ' . . 315, 319

December 321, 33i, 33^

1587 January . . . . . . 346, 349, 353, 356

February . . . . . . . 357, 363, 364

To THE Earl of Leicester—

1585 June 45

July . . .64

1586 December 320

To Lord Buckhurst—

1586 November 312

To Lord Howard of Effingham—

1586 April 174

To Sir John Perrot—

1585 July 55

1587 January 352

Sir Amias Poulet's Letters. xliii

PAGE

To Mr. Stallenge—

1586 November 313

To Thomas Phelippes—

1586 Januar}- . . 151

April 169

June . 198, 214

July . . : . 246

To M. Arnault—

1586 February 140

To THE Justices of Stafford —

1586 January . . . . 130

SIR AMIAS POULET,

KEEPER OF MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS,

Sir Amias Poulet,^ of Hinton St. George, in Somersetshire,
from whom the present P2arl Poulett is descended, was the head
of the family of which the Marquisses of Winchester, afterwards
Dukes of Bolton, were a younger branch. His father, Sir Hugh
Poulet, was Captain of the Isle of Jersey, to which office he
succeeded on his father's death in 157 1. Long previous to this
time, Sir Hugh Poulet had ceased to reside in the island, having
been appointed Vice-president of Wales, and Amias was made
Lieutenant of Jersey, April 25, 1559. Letters from him between
that date and 1569 are preserved amongst the State Papers in
the Pubhc Record Office."

Sir Amias Poulet was knighted in 1576, and soon after he
was sent to France as Ambassador. On September 25, 1576,
he wrote a letter from Calais to his friend Lord Burghley,"' the
Lord High Treasurer, from which the following extract is taken.
Francis Bacon, Lord Burghley's nephew, then about sixteen, was
probably one of those who accompanied him to Paris. He was
certainly with him there in the following year.

I must confess that in this little journey between
London and Dover, I already find your lordship's words

■^ The name is now, and always has been, spelled in various ways.
Sir Amias signed his letters "A. Poulet," and this form is here followed.
The inscription on his tombstone is " Amitio Pouletto," and as he wrote his
Christian name "Amice," it was probably so pronounced. At the present
time, his direct descendant the earl spells the surname Poulett ; the Marquis
of Winchester Paulet, while the Duke of Cleveland, as heir to the Duke of
Bolton, has assumed the name of Powlett.

2 Domestic, Addenda, Elizabeth, vol. ix., n. 20; vol. xiv., n. 63.

^ Ibid., vol. xxiv., n. 92.
B

2 Sir Amias Poiclet^

true, and do feel the weight of my heavy train, and shall
feel it more deeply before my coming to Paris, being
accompanied with an extraordinary number, whereof some
have been recommended unto me by the Queen, some by
other noble men, only until their coming to Paris. ... I
do not use these many words so much to excuse my
follies, which are too many, as well herein as in all my
other doings, as thereby to entreat your good lordship to
use your reasonable favour towards me in my allowance
for my transportation, my charges (no doubt) being much
increased by these extraordinary occasions, and yet I will
ask nothing unreasonable. If I ever pass again into
France, I will seek my passage at some other port, the
haven of Dover being in such utter ruin, as the passage
thereby is utterly decayed. The Queen's ships, as like-
wise the other barks appointed for me and my horses,
were forced to seek their surety at Sandwich, when the
wind did serve to have passed into France. It were to
be wished, for her Majesty's service, that Dover were
provided of a better harbour.

Poulet was succeeded by Sir Henry Cobham as Ambassador
to France, in November, 1579. He was appointed a Privy
Councillor, early in 1585, and sent by Elizabeth to Tutbury, as
keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, in the place of Sir Ralph Sadler.
In that charge he continued at Tutbury, Chartley, and Fother-
ingay, till Mary's execution relieved him of his captive. The
Queen of Scots was executed February 8, i58f, and Poulet
soon followed his prisoner to the grave. He was made Chancellor
of the Garter on the Eye of St. George, 1587, in succession to
Walsingham, and Sir John Wolley succeeded him on the feast in
the year following. ^ He died^ September 26, 1588.

By his wife Catherine, daughter and heir of Anthony Harvey,
of Columb John, in Devonshire, he had three sons, Hugh, who
died in infancy, Sir Anthony, his lieutenant and successor in

^ Ashmole's Order of the Garter ^ p. 521.

2 Collins, following the inquisition taken January 15, 158^.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, ^ 3

the government of Jersey, and George, who, by marriage with
a distant cousin, became the possessor of the old family seat
of Gothurst, in Somersetshire; and three daughters, Joan,
who married Robert Heyden of Bowood, Devon, Sarah, who
married Sir Francis Vincent of Stoke Dabernon, Surrey, and
Elizabeth, who died unmarried. The last is probably the " little
jewel," Lord Burghley's goddaughter, born while her father had
charge of Queen Mary, mentioned in his letter to Lord Burghley
of May 12, 1586. His grandson, John Poulet, was made a
baron, June 23, 1627; and the fourth Lord Poulet was created
Viscount Hinton St. George and Earl Poulet, December 29, 1706.

A very large number of the letters of Sir Amias Poulet are
in existence. A volume of his letter-book, containing his letters
when Ambassador in France, the first dated from Tours, May 26,
1577, and the last from Paris, January 10, 157I-, is in the Bod-
leian Library.^ It was edited, in 1866, for the Roxburghe Club
by Mr. Ogle.

The continuation of this letter-book, beginning January 12,
i57|-, and ending August 29, 1578, was kindly placed in the
hands of the present Editor by Dr. Blackett, of 28, Green Street,
London. It has now, together with those next to be mentioned,
become by purchase the property of the Bodleian Library.

Together with this, were three portions of a still more valuable
letter-book, in which were entered copies of such letters, written
by Poulet when keeper of the Queen of Scots, as might meet the
eyes of his secretary.

In the Public Record Office there are preserved the originals
of more than one hundred letters, ^ addressed by him to Sir
Francis Walsingham during that period. At a glance it is plain
that many of the later letters of this series are missing, and that
they were purposely withdrawn from the collection is shown by
the significant erasure of the item, *'A bundle of letters from Sir
Amias Paulett, succeeding Sir Ralph Sadler, 1585 and 1586," in
"A note of papers concerning the Queen of Scotland."^ The

^ Rawlinson MSS., A., 331.

^ State Papers, Mary Qiteen of Scots ; calendared by Mr. Thorpe. The
volumes mentioned in the following notes refer to these State Papers.
* Vol. xxi., n. 43.
B 2

4 Sir Amias Potclei,

portions of the letter-book for the use of which the Editor is
indebted to Dr. Blackett contain more than fifty letters ^mtten
by Sir Amias Poulet at that most interesting period, the originals
of which are not to be found in the Public Record Office. All
these are here printed at length, transcribed in everything but the
spelling, from the letter-book. The State Papers have long been
accessible to students of history; they are therefore only used
in the following pages sufficiently to link together and render
intelligible the historical material now first published.

The first mention of Poulet in connection with the Queen of
Scots is in a letter in the State Papers,^ dated January 4, 1584,
in which Lord Burghley informs Sir Francis Walsingham that
Lord St. John of Bletso has refused to take charge of Mary, at
which Elizabeth was much displeased, and that she had com-
manded Burghley "to write to Rycott- for Sir Amyes Paulett."
Mr. John Somer, Sir Ralph Sadler's assistant, wrote at once,"' on
the 13th of January, the very day of their transfer from the
Earl of Shrewsbury's, at Wingfield, to Tutbury, though he
was under the impression that Poulet was coming to assist
Lord St. John, to propose the substitution of other fit persons
instead of Sir Amias Poulet. "Your good judgment of the
weak state of his body, and the distance of his dwelling, I
think," he says, "are to be allowed for a sufficient supersedeas
in this matter."

Sadler naturally was delighted that any man could be found
to relieve him of a position that he disliked extremely. He
wrote thus to Lord Burghley,"* in reply to the news of Poulefs
appointment : " I perceive by your lordship's letter, brought to me
by John Danet, that my Lord St. John being excused from this
charge upon such considerable causes as your lordship allegeth,

^ Vol. XV., n. 5.

^ Rycote, near Thame, where, in Queen Mary's time, Elizabeth -was Lord
Williams' prisoner, was now the property of Lord Norreys, whose only
daughter, Catherine, was married to Poulet's eldest son in 1583.

•^ Vol. XV., n. 20. The draft of this letter is printed in the Siatc Papas
and Letters of Sir Ralph Sadler, vol. ii., p. 482. Edited by Arthur Clifford.
Edinburgh, 1809.

* Sadler's State Papers, vol. ii., p. 501.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 5

Sir Amyas Pawlet, now worthily one of her Majesty's Privy
Council, is appointed, and hath willingly consented to take it
upon him, whereof I am right glad, but gladder that your lordship
trusteth I shall not tarry here many days ; and for my further
comfort, that you will hasten him to the best speed you can.
I heartily thank her Majesty and your good lordship for these
good tidings." This letter is dated February 5, 158^. On the
1 8th of February,^ Somer wrote to AValsingham, to express the
fear that Mary entertained of her coming keeper, whom "she
hath heard of when he was Ambassador in France." On the
same day,^ Walsingham informs Sir Ralph Sadler that Sir Amias
Poulet was to set out "on Monday come sevenight." As this
letter answers Mary's request for a Priest to attend her, a subject
on which we shall have much information in the sequel, an
extract from it will not be out of place here.

For that Queen's request, if she shall not greatly insist
for a present answer, you may tell her that she shall
receive the same by the gentleman that is to succeed you ;
but otherwise, if she shall require to have the same soon,
you may then let her understand, first, for the Priest, that
her Majesty, misliking the like motion heretofore made
unto her, my Lord Treasurer and I durst not now renew
the same again, knowing that it would both be in vain,
and besides offensive to her Majesty.

Sir Amias did not start so soon as the ist of March, as
Sir Francis Walsingham expected, nor, indeed, for two months
after. His instructions^ are dated March 4. They were,
apparently, not precise enough for Poulet, who requests Eliza-
beth's commands respecting the amount of liberty he was to
allow his charge.* The answers to these requests are not
amongst the State Papers, but the instructions, after providing
for her strict custody and against the "secret conveyance of
letters and other like practices," contain the following clause
in Walsingham's handwriting.

^ Vol. XV., n. 36. 2 ji,i^i^ „_ 28. - Ibid., n. 50. * Ibid., n. 59.

6 . Sir Amias Poulef,

'You shall order that she shall not, in taking the air,
pass through any towns, nor suffer the people to be in the
way where she shall pass, appointing some always to go
before to make them to withdraw themselves, for that
heretofore, under colour of giving of alms and other
extraordinary courses used by her, she hath won the
hearts of the people that habit about those places where
she hath heretofore lainy

Meanwhile Sir Ralph Sadler and Mr. Somer wrote frequently,^
showing Mary's great anxiety respecting her new keeper, and
Elizabeth herself undertook his defence,- in a letter to Mar)-, in
accordance with a suggestion made by Mr. Somer.

And as for Poulet, against whom you seem to take
exceptions, in respect of his dealings (as you say) against
you at such time as he had the charge of our Ambassade
in France, the question is whether the cause grew from
himself or from you and your Ministers there. If he did
but advertise us truly of such things as he heard were
practised both by yourself and them against us, therein he
did but discharge his duty. And if you still hold the rule
which you have heretofore professed, that you love and
esteem best those who serve us most faithfully, then have
you more cause to like than to dislike him, for we repute
him to be towards God religious, towards us most faithful,
of calling honourable, by birth, in respect of the antiquity
of his house, most noble. And therefore, if we should see
hereafter cause to use him in Sadler's place, you need not
to doubt that a man that reverenceth God, loveth his
Prince, and is no less by calling honourable than by birth
noble, will ever do anything unworthy of himself

Su: Ralph Sadler was writing most urgent letters to procure
his deliverance from that charge, which overwhelmed him with
^ Vol. XV., nn. 41, 48, 49. ^ Ibid., n. 57.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 7

care and grief,^ and at the same time defending himself from
complaints of having allowed his prisoner too much liberty.
Elizabeth accepted his explanations,^ but required the Queen of
Scots to be more strictly looked to. Elizabeth's complaint
against Sir Ralph was that he had allowed the Queen of Scots to
go hawking with him, some distance from the castle.^ It is a
curious contrast that Poulet's first letters after taking charge,"*
should be written in self-defence, against complaints made
against him for undue rigour in his first week of authority.

This letter, and the joint letter^ written by him and Sir Ralph
Sadler to announce his arrival, are subjoined.

Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir Amias.Poidet to Queen Elizabeth.

It may please your most excellent Majesty to be
advertised that I, Amice Poulet, arrived here the seven-
teenth of this present in the evening, and spending that
night and the next morning in conference with me, Ralph
Sadler, after dinner we signified unto this lady that we
were desirous to have access unto her, which being granted,
I, Amice Poulet, delivered unto her your Majesty's letters,
which she seemed to receive very gladly, and after she had
perused them, desired to be informed of the state of your
health, which was answered to be very good and perfect,
thanks be to God for it.

Then this Queen said unto me. Amice Poulet, that
indeed she had been informed that I had been ill affected
towards her, and that I complained of her kinsmen and
Ministers when I was Ambassador in France, and that she
was not to be blamed if she desired to be committed to
the custody of such as did bear her no ill will, thinking
that she had enemies in England, and did not know if I
were of that number.

I answered that I was very glad to hear that her
challenge had no better ground than that I had served
your Majesty truly and faithfully, and did confess that

1 Vol. XV., n. 69. 2 y^/^_^ ^ 5^_ 3 jii^i^ n„^ ^g, 60.

* Ibid., n. 74. = Ibid., n. 84.

8 Sir Amtas Poulet,

being employed in France as a public Minister, I was
content to make it known that I did not like with some of
her kinsmen and Ministers, because I was not ignorant
that they sought the disturbance of the quiet of this realm,
and especially Morgan, your Majesty's subject and her
professed Minister, whose doings I was careful and curious
to observe. I told her that this conceit would soon be
removed, if she would be content to judge of my actions
with that measure which was due to all subjects. I asked
her if, when she reigned in Scotland as absolute Queen, she
would have liked of that subject that would have shaken
hands or had intelligence with any Prince abroad or subject
at home, that had maintained her rebels and fugitives, had
allured her subjects to renounce their obedience, or had
attempted the subversion of her estate and dignity. I
prayed her to have like consideration of my duty towards
her [your] Majesty, promising to honour her kinsmen
when they shall be your good neighbours and friends,
and to love her Ministers when they shall leave their bad
practices.

She said that she could not but allow of all subjects to
be obedient to their sovereigns, but that she had heard
that I did not love her, as she would tell me further at
some other time, but that of late she had heard so well of
me as she was now better satisfied, and did trust that I
would give her no cause to the contrary.

After this talk between this Queen and me. Amice
Poulet, she uttered how grievously she took it that . . . she
had not yet received any full answer to the special points
of her offers and motions to your Majesty, . . . but instead
thereof, after a long time, she had received now lately a
letter from your Majesty to the contrary. . . . Thereunto I
answered, . . . that she hath not a better friend in Christen-
dom than your Majesty is to her, all things considered. She
acknowledged that indeed your Majesty was so, but yet
her long prison, said she, these seventeen years, with loss

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 9

of health and limbs, and little effect of all her offers, and
the remembrance of your Majesty's late letter, breaking off
her whole hope, made her mistrust the worst, and therefore
must rest in patience. . . .

" And now, Madame," quoth I, " it may please you to
give me leave to say something unto you concerning myself,
and do trust that being sent hither in such sort and for
such purpose as hath appeared unto you, it will not mislike
you, and will stand best with the discharge of my duty in
many respects, if at my first entrance into this place, I
declare unto you in plain terms what I desire to find at
your hands, and at the hands of all those belonging unto
you, and what you may expect from me, because plain
dealing is always best."

" It is a thing that I love well," said she, and promised
to deal as plainly with me. I told her that I was bound by
duty of allegiance to serve your Majesty truly and faith-
fully, and would not fail to employ all my endeavours to
acquit myself of that duty, neither would be diverted from
it for hope of gain, for fear of loss, or for any other respect
whatsoever. Your Highness* commandment and service
being first observed, I did assure her that your pleasure
was that I should do her all the good offices, and show her
all the courtesy that might seem convenient, wherein there
sliould be no fault on my part.

And to the intent that this course might have his
continuance without let or interruption, to her satisfaction
and to the better discharge of my duty, I prayed her to
have care of my poor honesty and credit, a thing more
precious unto me than living or life, and that nothing
might be done directly or indirectly by her or her servants,
that might procure me blame, or suspicion of blame at
your Majesty's hands, having no worldly thing in so great
reputation as your service and contentment. And there-
fore, if occasion did move her to send any letters or
remembrances to London or any other place, I desired

lo Sir Ainias Poulet,

that they might be delivered unto me, and I would see
them safely conveyed and would procure an answer, if so it
pleased her.

" Indeed," saith she, " the time was that being deprived
of all open means to send to my friends, and to hear again
from them, as it is natural for all persons to seek to help
themselves, I did not spare to seek some extraordinary
helps to convey my letters, which, sithence I entered into
good terms with the Queen, my good sister, I have utterly
forborne," assuring me that I should have no blame for
any of her doings, and asked me, Ralph Sadler, if she
had used any such practices during my attendance on
her. . . .

I, Ralph Sadler, departing from hence this present day,
Mr. Somer remaineth here with me, Amice Poulet, for
some short time, according to your Majesty's direction,
for my better instruction in all things belonging to this
charge, wherein both he and I will employ our uttermost
endeavours, and do trust that all things shall be ordered
to your Highness' good contentment. And, thus, not
having wherewith else to trouble your Majesty, Ave both
do pray to God, as we are most bounden, to preserve your
Majesty in health and all felicity long to reign over us, our
most gracious Queen and Sovereign.

From Tutbury, the 19th of April, 1585.

Your Majesty's most obedient and faithful subjects,

R. Sadleir,
A. Poulet.

To the Queen's most excellent Majesty.

Sir Atnias Poulet to Sir Francis IValsingham.

Sir, — I fear lest my calm beginning here will have a

rough proceeding. And doubting lest some complaint may

be made, I have thought good to prepare you to answer.

Mr. Somer hath been charged by one of this Queen's

Keeper of Mary Quee7i of Scots. 1 1

retinue that rigours and alterations have been used of late
in this house, and that he is the author of them. I must
confess that I have no commission to show any rigours ;
and therefore, if I have exceeded my commission, it is
reasonable that I answer it at my peril. But I trust these
rigours shall be found nothing else than dutiful service,
and besides that, my dealings have been far from rigour
in substance. I may affirm, and Mr. Somer will bear
me witness, that the manner of my proceedings hath had
no taste of rigour, but hath been as plausible and as
quiet as was possible, and yet so tempered as they might
perceive that their cavilling and quarrelling could not
divert me from my duty. And indeed there may be no
yielding to this people, but being assured to require
nothing but that which is meet, to stand stiffly to it.

The rigours are these. First, I restrained Sharp, this
lady's coachman, from riding abroad without my privity,
and yet with this condition that he should be permitted
to breathe his horses as often as he would, in giving me
knowledge of his intention, so as some of my servants
might ride with him. This was found hard, because he
had not been restrained in times past, as they said.

The second rigour was this. I found at my arrival here
in the great chamber where Sir Ralph Sadler did usually
dine and sup, a cloth of Estate for this Queen, represent-
ing by letters the names of her father and mother, and
furnished with the arms of Scotland in the midst, and
the same quartered with the arms of Lorraine of every
side. Sir Ralph Sadler told me at my first entering into
the said chamber, that this cloth of Estate was set up at
the first coming hither of this Queen, upon a meaning
that she should dine and sup ordinarily in that chamber,
referring the standing or taking down of the same to my
discretion.

Wherein I have considered that, in my simple opinion,
her Majesty's subjects may not with their duties allow m

12 Sir Ainias Poulety

this realm of any more cloths of Estate than that which is
due to her Highness. And therefore this chamber being
applied to the use of the governor here, and so employed
in all this time, I could not but resolve with myself that
the same was now to be accounted as Her Majesty's side,
as they call it commonly in the Court, and therefore no
cloth of Estate representing any foreign Prince to be
allowed in the said chamber.

Whereunto may be added that this Queen had not
dined or supped there more than one only night, shortly
after her coming hither, at which time Sir Ralph Sadler
cupped also at the lower end of the said chamber, as my
Lord of Shrewsbury did the like at Sheffield, and I must
do as much if the use of this chamber be allowed unto
her, which would breed a dangerous familiarity between
these two families.

Upon this opinion I resolved to move this matter,
wherein I had this farther argument to induce them to
yield to my motion, that this Queen is now entered into
a diet, and will not come out of her chamber these six
weeks.

But willing to deal herein in as plausible manner as
I might with the discharge of my duty, I prayed her
secretary, Nau, to come unto me, where, in the presence
of Mr. Somer, I delivered unto him my opinion at good
length, touching this cloth of Estate. And as the same has
served his mistress to no use in all this time, neither could
do during the keeping of her chamber by reason of her
diet ; so I might worthily be condemned of want of
judgment, or rather of loyalty, to endure it to stand in
that place which served for my ordinary use to dine and
sup in. And therefore required him to move his mistress
herein, which, as I told him, I thought would like her
better than if the motion were delivered unto her by
myself, referring to her pleasure to set up the said cloth
in her own dining-room, if she thought good.

[ 11W5V -
Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 1 3

I received answer from this Queen the next day by
Nau that she desired to know if I had in commandment
from the Queen's Majesty to take down this cloth or no ;
and if I had no such direction, that then I would write
to her Highness, before I proceeded farther.

I answered that I had received no such commandment
from her Majesty, affirming that to my knowledge or
thinking, her Highness had never been advertised of any
part of this matter. And to write, I said I should condemn
myself of want of discretion, and should forget the duty
of my place, if in plain and open causes I should be
troublesome to her Majesty with my letters.

Then he told me that his mistress doubted lest the
taking down of this cloth of Estate did threaten a diminu-
tion of her estate, which she believed the rather for three
causes. The first, the late motions in the Parliament
against her ; the second, the strange and unnatural
dealing of her son ; the third, that she was not ignorant
that some great personages in England had assured her
son that he should be the next successor to this crown,
and that she should be deprived of her title. So as, these
things concurring together, he said she had just cause to
conceive that this matter of the cloth of Estate was but
an entrance into greater innovations. He concluded that
I had promised this Queen in my first speech to deal
plainly with her, and therefore prayed me that if I had
in commandment to make any alterations of importance,
I would signify the same rather at one word than to
minister new griefs from day to day.

I told him that I had no commandment, neither did
I see cause to make any such innovations as should breed
dislike, and having already, with the assent of his
mistress, forbidden the cocher to ride abroad without
my privity, there remained only one thing to be
redressed, which for his better satisfaction I was content
to tell him at that present. I said, I misliked greatly

14 Sir Aniias P outlet ^

that those of this Oueen's retinue were seen often walking-
upon the walls, where they overlooked the gate and ward,
and took a full view of all comers and goers, a thing
very offensive to all the neighbours, and not meet to
be endured in reason and judgment.

He said it was not done with any evil intent, and that
those which did so, had no other meaning than to take the
open air, which was not without need for such as were shut
up in this castle. I answered they should not, neither had
been, denied to walk abroad in convenient sort when they
did require it, and therefore this excuse was of small effect.

He did not insist in the defence of -it, but yielded that
it should be reformed. And concluded that the cloth of
Estate should be taken down, trusting that upon request
made in that behalf by the Queen his mistress, I would not
refuse to write in her favour, that after her diet ended the
cloth might be restored, and she admitted to dine and sup
in that chamber.

These are three of the rigours. The fourth and last is
as frivolous as the former, by the which I ordered that
Sharp, this Oueen's cocher, having accustomed to dine
and sup with Sir Ralph Sadler's men, as he had in time
past with those belonging to the Earl of Shrewsbury,
should not dine and sup with my servants, a familiarity too
dangerous in my simple opinion, considering the quality of
the man, but should be bestowed among his fellows of the
Scottish train.

These are the rigours which I have showed, whereof
Mr. Somer beareth the blame in words, but the grudge
and displeasure is against me. And now I refer to your
consideration if there be any rigour in them ; or rather, as
I was bound in duty to require the observation of them, if
this people ought not in reason to grant them without
contradiction, as matters importing them nothing at all.

It is not to be doubted but that Sir Ralph Sadler,
attending here during the treaty between her Majesty and

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 1 5

this lady, can show good cause why he was not curious
in these trifles, and perchance, by this occasion was the
more inward with her, and did gather the more from her.
And, therefore, I shall earnestly pray you so to temper
this advertisement as his doings may not be brought in
question.

I learn by Mr. Somer that there is no other v/ay to
do good to this people than to begin roundly with them,
and that whatsover liberty or anything else is once granted
unto them cannot be drawn back again without great
exclamation.

I find the gentlemen servants to this Queen very well
satisfied in appearance, and so I presume I shall find
herself at my next access to her, which hath been forborne
these four or five days, by reason of her physic to prepare
her body for the diet.

Because these cavilling matters require no great haste,
I send these letters by one of my own servants, who hath
to do at London at this time.

The three posts between Tutbury and Stamford were
agreed for by Sir Ralph Sadler at 3^. 4^. by the day,
amounting to 23^. 4</. by the week, which may be reduced
to 1 5 J", by the week, praying you to take order how
the same shall be paid. And thus I leave to trouble
you, committing you to the merciful protection of the
Almighty.

From Tutbury, the 27th of April, 1585.

Your assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

I had just occasion in my last speech with this Queen
to tell her, according to your direction, that it was not
enough that some of her Ministers had not long sithence
practised most execrably the utter ruin of her Majesty,
but that now also, very lately, the Due d'Aumale had rifled

1 6 Sir Amias Poiclet,

one of her Highness' servants/ in his return out of France,
of all his letters and papers, which must be said to have
been done either by her assent or for her sake, and that it
could not be but that these bad offices falling out daily in
this sort, must breed jealousy and mistrust in the Queen
my mistress.

She protested that she knew nothing of it, adding that
this Duke was a mere stranger unto her, and that she had
never seen him. I answered that he knew her to be his
kinswoman, and was content to give testimony of his good
affection towards her by doing wrong to the Queen's
Majesty.

She spareth not to bewray her hard opinion of you,
whereupon I told her that I remembered to have seen a
letter written by Sir Ralph Sadler, wherein he maketh
mention that Nau, her secretary, acknowledged himself
very well used generally by all the lords of the Council,
but especially by you, and Nau being present, I asked him
if it were not so, which he confessed.

" Yea, in words," saith she, '' but I know what I know,
and am able to prove that which I say."

I answered that this conceit could have no other ground
than the report of some busybody, advising her not to be
hasty upon so slender foundations to conceive so hard
impressions of any of her Majesty's Council, which could
not be honourable or profitable unto her. The residue of
her talk is not worthy of the writing. It may be that this
motion was the cause that I heard nothing of the rigours.

The foregoing letter is dated from Tutbury, April 27, 1585.
Some portion of the next also deserves transcription.- Its date is
May 2nd.

^ From the next letter we learn that this was William Waad or Wade,
clerk of the Privy Council, afterwards knighted by James I., and made
lieutenant of the Tower of London. His journey to France was to try to
obtain the extradition of Morgan.

2 Vol. XV., n. 84.

Keeper of Mary Qiceen of Scots, 1 7

Sir, — I had forgotten in my letters of the 28th of the
last, to thank you for yours of the i8th of the same,
advertising the stay of the Earl of Arundel, and the hard
usage offered to Mr. Wade in his return out of France. I
have also received your letters sent by Mr. Darrell, and
therewith some heads of the French occurrents, wherein I
think myself beholden unto you. And, indeed, it may
stand me in stead to be acquainted with some part of the
French and Scottish doings, which will minister good
occasion of talk between this lady and me, whereby some-
what, perchance, may be drawn from her, when she is in
her angry mood.

And now, this last evening, at six of the clock, I
received your letters of the 28th of the last, trusting that
before this time you have received mine of the 27th of the
same. The post having his pay, whether he work or play,
I thought good to make this short despatch, thereby to
advertise you that it is found strange here that the French
Ambassador hath sent to this Queen by Mr. Darrell so
good store of money, and hath written nothing mentioning
the same, which was excused by answering that indeed
Mr. Darrell received letters for her, but delivered them
unto you, and not speaking with you at his departure the
same remain in your hands, which he thought you would
send hither by the next passage, and now this last packet
being arrived, whereof they cannot be ignorant, because
the post, after his accustomed order (although out of order,
and shall not be done hereafter), sounded his horn at his
approaching towards the gate. There is no doubt but that
they will mistrust false measure when they shall hear that
no letters are come for them. It may, therefore, please you
to consider what I shall do with the packet which I have
received from you for this Queen, being very sorry that the
same was not opened there, because this tickle^ time doth
seem to require that it be perused before it be delivered.

^ Tickle^ uncertain.
C

1 8 Sir Anitas Poulet,

The 30th of the last, this Queen sent her Secretary
Nau to pray me to come to her chamber, where she told
me that having spent some days in taking of physic, and
being now entered into her diet, she was willing to spend
half an hour with me, more to pass the time than for any
serious matter that she had to say. . . .

The plate which she desired was brought and delivered
unto her : the hangings for her chamber were sent, and
being unlined, through the negligence of some inferior
officer, order was taken for the lining of them out of hand.
Only the three Turkey carpets for the compassing of her
bed were forgotten, which should be remembered by my
next letters.

Somer's application for the carpets ran thus •}

Certain Turkey carpets to lie about the Queen's bed.
One under her feet in her dining-chamber, and one like
in her bed-chamber, as she eateth there when she is not
well. In all, five or six. She hath the best of the old
long ends to walk on in her chamber, which is matted,
but yet too hard for her sore foot. The dining-chamber
floor is plaster, very cold, though strewed with rushes.

Poulet's letter also contains this paragraph, the importance
of which will be afterwards seen.

I had forgotten to write unto you in my last letters,
that besides the cloth of Estate which hath been taken
down, there is another always standing in the chamber
where she dineth and suppeth.

And now, with Poulet's letters before us, we are in a position
to judge of the accuracy and trustworthiness of Mr. Froude's
assertion, that, "notwithstanding his forbidding creed, Mary
Stuart tried her enchantments upon him." 2 **She hinted," he

1 Vol. XV., n. 48, 1. ^ History of England, i2mo., 1870, vol. xi,, p. 376.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 19

says, "by the advice of Morgan, that if ever she came to the
crown, 'he might have another manner of assurance of that
island [Jersey] than ever was given to an EngHsh subject.'"
What authority has Mr. Froude for putting such words into
Mary's mouth? Any reader would think that Poulet was the
authority. " He understood her perfectly," he adds : that is,
Poulet understood those words when uttered by Mary. But
it is clear that she never uttered them, nor was in the mood to
utter them to Poulet, as his letters plainly show. And " he
replied," says Mr. Froude, to the hint respecting the island of
Jersey, that he could not be "diverted from his duty for hope
of gain, for fear of loss, or for any other respect whatsoever."
This, Poulet tells us, was uttered by him in the presence of Sir
Ralph Sadler. Was Mary's offer of a bribe made before him
too?

But Mr. Froude's inaccuracy may be still more plainly shown,
for we know from Mary herself^ that Morgan's letter, in which
the advice was contained, had not reached her at that time.
This letter formed one of the packet of eight that she received
just a twelvemonth afterwards. " Her enchantments " were tried
on Poulet in April, 1585, and the letter that contained the advice
on which, according to Mr. Froude, she acted, reached her at
C hartley, in April, 1586.

Morgan's letter,^ from which Mr. Froude drew the words, is
interesting; and though, having been printed by Murdin,^ it is
far from new, the passage relating to Poulet is well worthy of
insertion here. We are dependent on Thomas Phelippes for the
decipher of the letter. It is dated from the Bastile, where Morgan
had been recently imprisoned, and where he remained for at least
five years. He says that he fears that this will be the last letter
he will ever be able to address to her.

I understand that Sir Amias Poulet is appointed to wait
upon your Majesty. He is a gentleman of an honourable
family, a Puritan in religion, and very ambitious, of which

^ Vol. xvii., n. 80 ; Labaiioff, torn, vi., p. 325.
" Vol. XV., nn. 64, 65.
2 State Papers^ London, 1759, p. 443.
C 2

20 Sir Amias Poulet,

humour you may take hold. He is courteous, and I hope
will know his duty towards your Majesty. But he will
be very curious and watchful about your Majesty and
your people, and respecteth Secretary Walsingham above
all the rest of the men in the service of that State, and
I believe Walsingham was the procurer of him to that
charge.

The said Poulet was, within this twelvemonth, far out
of liking with Leicester, and I pray God the matter be
not altered between them. The said Poulet is Governor
of the Isle of Jersey, belonging to that crown, which is
worth to him 1,000/. by the year at the least. The hope
he may conceive of your Majesty's favour towards him
and his house, and that they may continue in that charge
and receive some advancement otherwise, may bring him
with time to be careful and tender of your Majesty, far
contrary to the expectation that is conceived of him.
They that serve that State desire nothing else but com-
modity present, and advancement which your Majesty
may assure him, and make him and his house for his
good service another manner of assurance of the said
island than ever was given to subject of that realm of a
thing of like state and nature. For you [may] give him
the said island for many years, or in fee if he deserve it,
where he hath the same at this time but for term of life
to himself and his son at the most.

He may dispend in lands of his own 1,000/. by year.
His son and heir is married to the daughter of the
Lord Norris, a Protestant, and out with Leicester, unless
they be lately reconciled. The wife of the said Poulet
is a plain gentlewoman, and was the daughter of one
Mr. Anthony Harvye, a Catholic gentleman of the west
country of England ; but he is dead a good while
sithence,^ whereof I am the more sorry as the case now

1 Anthony Hervey died May 23, 1564, 6 Eliz., Avhen his daughter and heir
Margaret, wife of Amias Poulet, was 28 years of age. Collins.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 2 1

falleth out ; and the wife of the said Poulet was a
CathoHc during her father's Hfe.

I do think of all the means I can to find out amongst
Poulet his friends and followers some to serve your
turn, which God will send you. There is one Hotman, a
Frenchman, that much haunteth the said Poulet, whose
children he brought up both here and in England. The
said Hotman is a great Huguenot, and much addicted to
Leicester as far as I perceive. The said Hotman is a
kinsman to Hotman that serveth your Majesty in your
council here : whereof upon these occasions I will give
instructions to the Bishop of Glasgow to deal with old
Hotman, and to see whether the other may be made an
honest man and an instrument to serve your Majesty,
which he might do without all suspicion. . . .

There is a discreet lady called the Lady Pope, who
was married to the aforesaid Poulet his father. She is a
Catholic, by whose means it may be that you shall draw
some service of Poulet and some of his. ... It should
seem to me that all the noble and gentle men of the
north part of England, from London to Berwick, do
receive a great check, in that the Queen went to the west
parts of the realm to pick out Poulet to attend upon
your Majesty, and could not find any of the nobility and
gentlemen between London and Berwick to take that
charge ; and as it is a check to all the north parts, as I
would have them take it, so is it also a great argument
of the diffidence which the State hath of the north parts,
though it be yet to your honour, as I have alleged and
written, as soon as I heard of the resolution that Poulet
should wait upon your Majesty.

I think it shall not be amiss for the service of your own
turn, that you cause some of your friends of those parts
to visit Poulet, and to do him some courtesy, which will
breed some amity between them which may turn to your
service ; whereas, if Poulet be left there alone like a

22 Sir Amias Pouleiy

stranger, it will break occasions of repair to the place of
your continuance, which, the more it be, the more will
serve for your turn, which I desire, as God knoweth. . . .
Written in the Bastile, where I am prisoner, this 9th
of April [March 30, O.S.] 1585.

Your Majesty's most humble and faithful

servant to the death,

Tho. Morgan.

Godfrey Foljambe in March wrote to Gilbert Curie, one of
Mary's secretaries.^

I hear Sir Amias Poulet shall have the custody of
her, whereupon I have inquired what men towards him
are fit to be dealt with for her Majesty's service. I have
learned the names. Mr. Heydon, his son-in-law and his
wife, Hugh Brice or his son, one called M'Roe. All will
serve, thought reasonable men and likely to be dealt
with all.

Sir Ralph Sadler wrote to Walsingham of the neighbourhood
of Tutbury, February 28, i58-i:2 "Surely, sir, this is a perilous
country, for both men and women of all degrees are almost all
Papists." Two he thinks worthy of especial mention. Of these
Sir Thomas Gerard was prevented from "lurking" in his own
house, by being sent to the Tower, August 23, 1586.

I need not to tell you what an obstinate Papist
Langford is, and Sir Thomas Gerard as ill as he, which
both do lurk here in their houses, the furthest not past
four miles from this castle. Neither of them both, their
wives nor families, come to the church, nor yet have our
common prayers or service said in their houses, but do
nourish certain Massing Priests which do haunt their

^ Vol. XV,, n. 67.

2 Vol. XV., n. 44 ; Sadler's Slaie Papers, vol. ii., p. 525.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 23

houses, where it is thought they have their Masses secretly,
but so closely and cunningly used as it will be hard to
take them with the manner. These surely be dangerous
persons, if they had power according to their will, and
therefore would be looked unto. I would to God there
were no more in this country, where I hear of very few
good. It seemeth that the Bishop of the diocese is not
so diligent and careful of his charge as he ought to be,
and therefore would be quickened and admonished from
her Majesty to look better to his flock, so as they may
be induced to come to the church according to the law,
or else that they feel the smart of the same.

It may be well here to correct an inaccuracy that is found in
more than one writer. Robertson says that " Elizabeth resolved
to take Mary out of the hands of the Earl of Shrewsbury, and
to appoint Sir Amias Paulet and Sir Drue Drury to be her
keepers."^ Birch, in like manner, "The Queen of Scots was
removed from the custody of George, Earl of Shrewsbury,
into that of Sir Drew Drury and Sir Amias Paulet." ^ Miss
Strickland is not quite so incorrect, but she says that "her
comparatively humane keeper, Sir Ralph Sadler, was superseded
by Sir Amias Poulet and Sir Drew Drury, two rigid Puritans."^
Mr. Froude also is inaccurate in saying that " Sir Drew Drury
had remained at Fotheringay to share his charge with him."*
The arrival of Sir Drew Drury at Fotheringay is announced by
Poulet to Walsingham on the 15th November, 1586, a month
after Mary's trial. He came for no other purpose but to share
Poulet's charge; it is therefore not easy to see the meaning
of Mr. Froude's '"'•had remained^ From April, 1585, to Novem-
ber, 1586, Sir Amias Poulet was Mary's sole keeper, unless the
assistance he received from Mr. Richard Bagot^ entitles that
gentleman to share with him the unenviable designation.

^ Histojy of Scotland^ London, 1794, vol. ii., p. 124.
^ Memoirs of the reign of Elizabeth, 1754, vol. i., p. 49.
' Lives of the Queens of England, 1864, vol. iii., p. 366.
* History of England, 1870, vol. xii., p. 238.
^ Vol. xvi., n. 36.

24 Sir Amias Poulet,

We now proceed to our letter-book, which opens in the midst
of a letter to Walsingham, written in May, 1585. The book has
been thus defective from a very early time, for the folios are
marked in a contemporary hand, and foHo i begins in the
middle of a sentence. There are two more letters in the Record
Office that precede this, dated respectively the 2nd and 15th
of May. The true date of our fragment is probably the 28th of
May, on which day Poulet wrote the letter to Lord Burghley
that we subjoin.

In this fragment we come upon the first mention by Poulet
of Mary's aiimonier, Camille du Preau. When he was first
admitted amongst her retinue we have no means of ascertaining.
He is mentioned^ by Sir Ralph Sadler as in Mary's service at
Wingfield, November 5, 1584, but he does not seem to have
suspected that he was a Priest. ^ We shall now be able to
trace Du Preau through the letters to the very end. As far
back as November 22, 15 71, Mary wrote from Sheffield to
M. de la Mothe Fenelon,^ " J'avoy demande ung prestre pour
m' administrer le Sainct Sacrement, et en I'estat ou je suis, me
renger du tout ce qui peult nuire a ma conscience," but the only
answer to this was that she received "en lieu de consolation
ung livre difiamatoire par ung athee Buccanan."

And in the beautiful letter^ which Mary addressed to
Elizabeth from Sheffield, November 8, 1582, she thus asks for
the exercise of her religion : " Deux choses enfin ay-je princi-
pallement h, requerir : I'une, que proche comme je suis de partir
de ce monde, je puisse avoir pres de moy pour ma consolation
quelque honorable homme d'egHse, affin de me ramantevoir
journellement le chemin que j'ay k paraschever, et m'instruire
^ le parfaire selon ma rehgion, ou je suis fermemant resolue de
vivre et mourir. C'est un dernier debvoir qu'au plus chetif et
miserable qui vive ne se pourroit desnier ; c'est une liberte que
vous donnez ^ tons les ambassadeurs estrangers, comme aussi

1 Sadler's State Papers^ vol. ii., p. 437.

' In 1578 Mary Stuart recommends Ninian Winzet her confessor to the
Duke of Bavaria. Vol. xi., nn. 8, 10. He probably was her confessor
previous to her captivity.

* Vol. vii., n. 66 ; Labanoff, torn, iv., p. 4.

* Cotton. MSS., Calig., C. vii., f 51 ; Labanoff, torn, v., p. 332.

Keeper of Mary Qtiee?i of Scots. 25

tous aultres Roys Chatoliques donnent aux vostres exercice de
leur religion. Et moy-mesmes, ay-je force mes propres subjectz
a aulcune chose contraire k leur religion, ores que j'eusse tout
pouvoir et aucthorite sur eulx? Et que je fusse en ceste
extresmite prive de telle licence, vous ne le pouvez justement
faire. Quel advantage vous reviendrat-il quand vous me le
desnirez? J'espere que Dieu m'excusera si, par vous de ceste
fagon oppressee, je ne laisse de lui randre se deb voir qu'en mon
cceur il me sera permis. Mais vous donnerez tres mauvais
exemple aux aultres princes de la Chrestiente d'user, vers leurs
subjectz et parentz, la mesnie rigueur que vous me tiendrez,
royne souveraine, et vostre plus proche parente, comme je suis,
et seray tant que je vivray, en despit de mes ennemys." Mary
wrote to M. de Mauvissiere (Dec. 3, 1582):^ "Mon intention
n'estant d'avoir I'exercice de ma religion que privement, entre les
miens, 011 nul des serviteurs du dit comte ne hante," that is of
the Earl of Shrewsbury, to whom she had spoken on the subject.

The whole of the following fragment is interesting. Poulet's
mention of the prayer-book as "dangerous" is characteristic of
the man. It may be well to add that M. de Mauvissiere was the
French Ambassador at this time. He left England in September,
and was succeeded by M. de I'Aubespine de Chateauneuf

A few further words explanatory of the position of the Queen
of Scots are needed to render the letter thoroughly intelligible,
and it is not possible to avoid making a few remarks on
Mr. Froude by the way.

For some time past the policy of the young King of Scotland
had been watched with deep anxiety by the English Government.
Early in 1584 James had written to the Pope, professing himself
to be Catholic at heart; he had cooperated with the Duke of
Guise in his project of an invasion of England from Scotland,
and had openly proclaimed his purpose of delivering his mother
and associating her with himself in the government. Accordingly
it became apparent to Burghley and Walsingham that James
must, at any cost, be brought over to the interests of England.
No time was lost in opening successive intrigues at the Court
of Holyrood, with results which showed that, in spite of all
^ Cotton. MSS., Calig., C. vii., f. 64 ; Labanoff, torn, v., p. 343.

26 Sir Aniias Poidet,

promises, James would, were the bribe high enough, be found
ready at once to sacrifice his mother, and to throw the whole
power of Scotland in the balance on the side of Elizabeth and
the Protestant interest. Mary Stuart, on her part, was actively
treating with Elizabeth for her release. She had offered every
security, and was wiUing to make all concessions, even to the
point of absolutely renouncing the crown of Scotland, and suc-
cession to that of England, in her son's favour. Broken in
health as in spirits, for herself she desired nothing beyond
freedom and quiet for the rest of her life.^ Such was the
position in October, 1584, when the Master of Gray came up to
London to negotiate on the part of his sovereign with Elizabeth.
Mary Stuart was to be associated with her son in the projected
treaty, and she sent up her French secretary, Nau, as her repre-
sentative. At this crisis, as Mr. Froude justly remarks, "had
James resolutely identified himself with his mother, and
demanded, at the side of France, a general treaty between the
three nations of which her release was to be a condition,
EHzabeth had engaged herself so deeply that she could not
have refused." - But Gray, who professed himself devoted to
the Queen of Scots, was prepared to betray her cause and sell
his services to the EngHsh Government, and it soon became
clear to the mind of the French Ambassador that James himself
was willing to make good terms with Elizabeth, by separating from
his mother.^ The upshot of this miserable business was that, by
the spring of 1585, James had concluded his bargain, agreeing
finally to leave his mother to the tender mercies of Elizabeth,
in consideration of the paltry bribe of a dozen bloodhounds,
an annual pension of five thousand pounds, and vague promises
of succession to the English crown.

The year 1585 opened ominously for Mary Stuart. Abandoned
by her son she fell more entirely under the power of the Queen
of England. Her pleadings for liberty were met by prevarications
and evasions. She was committed to closer imprisonment, and

^ Articles from Mary Stuart ^ Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 59 ; and her subsequent
letters.

^ History, vol. xi., p. 526.

2 Mauvissiere to the King, November -^. Teulet.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 2 7

treated with marked increase of rigour. Mr. Froude gives us
an admirable description of her removal to Tutbury Castle, the
dreariness of her new prison-house, the bitterness and desola-
tion of the hapless captive as the fact slowly forced itself upon
her mind of her desertion by the son who owed everything
to his mother, and who ought in conscience as in honour to
have stood by her had she been forsaken by the whole world
besides. To Tutbury, in March, Elizabeth sent on a letter from
James to Mary, in which he repudiated his formal association
with her, and declared his final resolve to separate his interests
from hers in most unfilial terms, even going the length of taunting
his mother with her captivity. Mr. Froude certainly does not
spare James, but then why should he labour to turn even this
bitter episode of Mary's long captivity to her discredit, by seizing
the occasion to show her up as violent and implacable ? " She
cursed the Master of Gray ; she cursed her son \ she swore
that sooner than he should enjoy her right in England, as he
had already usurped her actual crown, she would disinherit him
as a false, treacherous, and ungrateful child, and would bequeath
her claims, whatever they might be, to the worst enemy that he
had." ^ This statement Mr. Froude supports by a quotation from
Mary's letter to Mauvissiere. Now, turning to his reference, we
find Mary writing that she is so cut to the heart by the impiety
and ingratitude which her son has been compelled to commit
in the letter which she believes to have been dictated to him by
Gray, that " j-/ mon fils persiste en cela " — you may tell the Justice
Clerk in answer (Bellenden had brought up James' letter to
London) — ^'' que j'invoqueray la malediction de Dieu sur luy, et
luy donneray, non seullement la mienne, avec telles circonstances
qu'il luy toucheront au vif, mais aussi le deseriteray-je, et priveray,.
comme fils desnature, ingrat et perfide et desobeissant, de toute
la grandeur qu'il peult jamais avoir de moy en ce monde; et,
plustost, en tel cas, domierois-je mon droit, quel qui soit, au plus
grand ennemy qu'il aye, avant que jamais il en jouisse par
usurpation, comme il faict, de ma couronne ^ laquelle il n'a
aulcun droict, refusant le mien, comme je monstreray qu'il
confesse de sa propre main."^ in citing this passage in a
^ History, vol. xi., p. 573. 2 Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 125.

28 Sir Amias Poulety

footnote Mr. Froude has suppressed the que, has changed the
conditional domierois to the indicative dofincray, and leaves out
the close of the sentence. Had the quotation been honestly
given it would not have been easy either to make the unqualified
statement in the narrative, or to mention, as he does on the fore-
going page, the association between James and his mother as
one to which she had pretended that he had consented.

Fragment of a letter to Sir Francis Walsingham \May 28?], 1585.
.... from any other than from her. And yet the
Ambassador writeth faintly in his defence, fearing to
justify him too far, as it seemeth, but in perusing these
letters Nau told me that he was not to be trusted, and
that he knew there was intelligence between him and
Gray.

In this packet or in the last he made mention of one
Clearke,^ lately arrived out of Scotland, affirming that he
would by no means see him or speak with him, and was
credibly advertised that he utterly refused to come to this
Queen, and would not come if he had been commanded
by the Queen's Majesty.

In the third packet, Mauvissiere, writing to this Queen,
calleth the King of Scots by the name of her son, saying
that, following her commandment,^ he will no more give
him the title of King, and yet will take the advice of the
King his master therein. Then he entereth into a long
discourse of Archibald Douglas,^ with whom he met as
he walked for his recreation by the river side, and there
the said Archibald pressed to speak with him, desiring
to know what he had heard from the Scottish Queen.

^ Sir Lewis Bellenden. " 1585, Justice Clerk in England for border
causes." Burghley's Notes, in Murdin, p. 782. Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 123.
When Hunsdon in 1584 was sent to Scotland to gain Arran over to the
interests of Elizabeth, the pretext for his coming was also a settlement of
border affairs. Labanoff, tom. vi., p. 4.

* Labanoff, tom. vi., p. 143.

^ Archibald Douglas, cousin to the Earl of Morton, on whose imprisonment
in 1 581 he fled to England, where, in May, 1586, he was James' Ambassador.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 29

He told him for news that which this Queen had written
unto him with her own hand, which was the distrust she
had of his overgreat famiharity with the Master of Gray,
of whom she rested ill satisfied because he had done her
ill service, and had deceived her greatly ; that she little
regarded his credit with her son, that she cared little for
all his drifts and practices, that she feared him not and all
the rest as little that gave her son ill counsel, and that
she had charged the said Ambassador not to make or
meddle with them any way, and to deal roundly with
him (as he termed it). He concluded in this Queen's
behalf that, if he did not give open testimony of his
faithful service and fidelity towards her, according to his
former promise and profession, she did renounce his
service and refuse him for her subject, and would carry
this opinion of him, that he had such credit in Scotland
as he thought he had no need of her favour.

Archibald would not believe that this message came
from the Queen, but the Ambassador assuring him of it,
and that she made no account of him, and thereupon
bidding him farev/ell, Archibald answered that this
Queen had good reason not to account of him, and not
to think him to be her faithful subject and servant. The
Ambassador, not listening to his speeches, took his way
towards his house, and the other took his way.

But Archibald had not gone thirty paces before he
returned, praying to speak two words more with him.
And then told him that he would write to this Queen
himself, if he thought his letters would be acceptable
unto her ; but prayed him to write unto her by the next,
that he was ready to declare himself her faithful servant
and subject, in what terms and in what order it would
please her to command him, affirming his fidelity by oath,
and that his actions should show his sincere affection
towards her, although it should cost him his life within
eight days after; and that he would not seek wealth,

30 Sir Amias Poulet,

honour, or favour in Scotland, or credit with her son, but
by her means, calling the Ambassador to witness of his
plain and direct dealing, and if he had not foretold all the
mischiefs that have ensued, which the Ambassador in his
letter avouched to be true, and that he had told him
that the only cause of his stay in this realm after his
imprisonment was for this Queen's service, by the said
Ambassador's commandment, delivered unto him in her
behalf, &c.

The Ambassador, falling from this purpose, thus con-
cludeth his letter. That this Queen hath just occasion to
be greatly grieved to be so little regarded of her son, in
whom she had reposed her only trust ; but she hopeth
that her son will know himself, and that she will stretch
forth her hand to raise him up, as otherwise she can
expect no other thing in this world than displeasure, and
that this unkindness would grow and increase to both
their destructions, if they fall not speedily to some good
reconciliation.

In one of these letters mention was made of a book
of prayers sent to this Queen from one belonging to the
Scottish Ambassador in France. I asked Nau for this
book. He answered that it was delivered in Mr. Somer's
time, and that Mr. Somer had seen it. These books are
dangerous.

The Ambassador maketh mention in all his letters of
the civil wars in France, wherein he carrieth himself so
evenly as he neither offendeth the King his master nor
the Duke of Guise. He is of opinion, by his last letters,
that there is little hope of composition, and that these
troubles are like to prove more dangerous to that State
than any that hath been these last twenty-four. years. He
writeth that her Majesty hath offered all assistance to the
French King.

I pray you consider that I perused these letters super-
ficially and in haste, and therefore can deliver you no

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 3 1

more than my short memory could carry away. Only I
dare affirm that I have omitted no matter of moment.
Although I am not ignorant that these affairs are of small
importance, yet it is good to know the humours of the
world.

1 hear that the Ambassador of France is required to
make complaint to her Majesty in the behalf of this
Queen, that she is restrained to give her alms ; wherein
the abuse hath been so great in times past, as, if I were
not warranted by mine instructions, I could do no less in
reason and judgment than to redress it. The distributor
of this alms is one that beareth the name to be a reader
unto this Queen, but I am much deceived if he be not
a Massing Priest. His meaning was to have gone from
house to house as in time past, and to have bestowed the
alms by discretion. Their alms are very liberal, which
will easily win the hearts of this poor people, if rather
they be not won already. And thus leaving to trouble
you, I commit you to the mercy of the Almighty.

From Tutbury, &c.

Thomas, the second Lord Paget, was a fugitive on the Conti-
nent, having left England on the arrest of Francis Throgmorton
in 1584. His property was thus at Elizabeth's mercy. He was
attainted by Parliament, together with his brother Charles, in
1586.1 His houses at Burton and Beaudesert were stripped, and
his "household stuff and other things,"^ were sent to Tutbury.
In the following letter we have the first mention of the Burton
brewer, who was one of the chief agents in the treachery by
which Mary was betrayed, and that he should have been put by
Walsingham into Lord Paget's empty house, seems to show that
the scheme of her betrayal was already sketched out.

•^ He died at Brussels in 1589, leaving one son William, who was knighted
before the expedition to Cadiz under the Earl of Essex, in which he took part,
and in the first Parliament after the accession of James his honours and lands
were restored.

2 Vol. xiv., n. 51.

32 Sir Amias Poulet,

To my Lord Treasurer, 28 Mail, 1585.

My very good Lord, — Besides the grounds and tithings
mentioned in my former letters to belong to the manor of
Burton, and thought meet to be reserved for the service of
this house, I find in the end of the survey one other tithing,
called Michleover, lying in a good corn country, and not
distant from hence above four miles, which it may please
your lordship to stay to that purpose. These tithings will
provide wheat for the pantry, and oats and straw for the
stable, which, being delivered here by the several farmers,
Avill be both profitable and commodious. Presuming upon
your lordship's favour, and being forced to make a large
provision of beefs and muttons for the fretting^ of our
grounds, I have been so bold as to pray Mr. Bagot to
defray 200/. for the service of this house, to which purpose
I had already delivered to Mr. Darrell 100/. out of my
little store, trusting that your lordship will take order that
the residue of the money resting in Mr. Bagot's hands
may be also employed to this use.

After the signing and sealing of this certificate upon
the Commission lately directed hither for the survey of the
Lord Paget's lands, Mr. Baynham moved me in a matter
which was far from my thoughts, and yet finding the same,
besides his friendly meaning towards me, to be grounded
upon some reasonable considerations, I would not refuse
to harken unto it, so far forth as to advertise your lordship
thereof The motion tended to this effect, that forasmuch
as I was placed in this charge, and might, perchance,
continue some time therein, although he doubted not
but that I was sufficiently authorized to command the
neighbours adjoining upon all occasions concerning her
Majesty's service, yet he wished me to be a suitor for the
stewardship of the Lord Paget's lands in these two shires
of Stafford and Derby, whereby he said I should be better
known to the said lord's tenants, and should find them the
^ Fretting, grazing. Anglo-Saxon, /riv'^;/.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 33

more willing to depend of me, which he thought to be
needful, as well in respect of their near neighbourhood, as
also that the Lord Paget's lands are able to furnish a
thousand able men. And now, referring myself herein to
your lordship's favour and better judgment, and forbearing
to desire it otherwise than as you shall think it to be
meet for me, I will say no more, but that if your lordship
shall think good [to bestow] it on me, I trust to see it
discharged by one of my own servants to your conten-
tation, and to the good liking of the tenants.

The brewer that serveth this house with beer, breweth
his beer in the Lord Paget's house at Burton, where he is
lodged with his wife and family, and therefore I think, in
my simple opinion, your lordship shall do well to forbear
during this service here to grant the keeping of the house
to any other, because inconveniences may grow between
the two families, and the house being utterly naked, the
brewer may seem sufficient to have charge of it. And
thus resting at your lordship's commandment, &c.

The next letter to Walsingham being amongst the State
Papers,^ a long abstract made by Poulet of the contents of the
letters of the French Ambassador to Mary is here omitted. It
must be remarked that Walsingham's letter of the 28th of May,^
to which this is an answer, not only desires Poulet to open the
packets addressed to the Queen of Scots, but also directs that
her almsgiving was to be restrained.

To Sir Francis Walsingham, 4 Jtuiii, 1585.
Sir, — I have received your letters of the 28th of the
last, together with two packets for this Queen, and two
notes of advertisements out of the Low Countries, where
their ill success seemeth to require a more diligence in their
commissioners expected here, whose overlate help may
perchance be little profitable unto them, and will not

1 Vol. XV., n. 97. 2 jii^^^ n. 96.

34 "^^r Amias Poulet,

fail to be hurtful unto their neighbours. Whereas your
leisure doth not suffer you to peruse this Queen's packets,
and therefore do desire that the same may be done here
by me, and to avoid the inconveniences which as you
think I have conceived, are content that I shall tell this
people that their letters have been opened by yourself
directed thereunto by her Majesty, as a thing meet in
this dangerous time. Following your direction, which I
will be always willing to observe, I have opened and
perused the said two packets, but because the same and
the rest hereafter are to be delivered by me open, I shall
never persuade them that I have not perused them, and
therefore it shall not be amiss in my simple opinion to
tell them plainly that I have opened them and perused
them, which course I have followed in these packets, and
I see no reason why they should mislike it, being all one
to them to have them opened here or in another place.
And for my part, I do not esteem it as an inconvenience
that they should know I had perused their letters, which
can be no way offensive unto them, and if it were, I
account little of it in respect of her Majesty's service, as
hath already and shall always appear in all my actions
in this place. ... In the end of his letters, he [the French
Ambassador] telleth this Queen that he will visit you at
Barne Elmes, and that you are a friendly furtherer of all
her causes, affirming no less for Mr. Somer, wherein I think
you both are more beholden unto him than you desen/e.

It seemeth that the French Ambassador hath learned
a new phrase of writing of the French troubles sithence his
last letters, which may be profitable unto this Queen, and
cannot be hurtful unto me, because it is likely I shall find
her the more quiet.

This Queen is now towards the end of her di^t, and
trusteth to come out of her chamber this next week.

These letters containing no matter of weight, I have
forborne to send them sooner, hoping to have found some

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 35

other convenient messenger, whereby I might have spared
the labour of the ordinary post, who deserveth his small
wages dearly in my opinion, and yet for want of other
opportunity, I have been forced to have recourse to his
help herein. As knoweth the Almighty, who always
preserve you.

From Tutbury, &c.

Then come two letters addressed to Lord Burghley. It is
doubtful whether Poulet would have been so grateful for the
stewardship of Lord Paget's estate, if he had known that he was •
not to have the appointment of his deputy, or that his own fee
from it was to be 40^-. a year.

To my Lord Treasurer, the Wt ofjimii [sic], 1585.^
My very good Lord, — I have been more bound to your
lordship sithence my coming hither for your courteous letters
and liberal advertisements of the state of things at home
and abroad, than to all the Court of England besides, and
yet I have craved it shamefully (if I may say so) as a thing
very necessary for my better service in this place. I know
your lordship hath least leisure of all others, and therefore
your favour towards me is the more evident, whereof I
would not fail to be worthy if my ability were answerable
to my poor goodwill, which shall be always ready at your
lordship's commandment.

I was bold to write to your lordship touching the
stewardship of the Lord Paget's lands, and yet surely I
did it in fear, doubting how your lordship would take it,
but I find by your letters that it pleaseth you not only to
allow of my suit, but also to grant it, wherein I think
myself greatly bound to your lordship. Thus your lordship
heapeth your benefits upon me daily, and I trust it will
suffice you that I acknowledge them with all dutiful
thankfulness.

1 The original is in the British Museum. Harl. MSS.y 6,993, f- 84, 85.
D 2

36 Sir Amias Poiclet^

I was bold in my former letters to pray your lordship's
favour towards me touching the opening of this Queen's
packets, wherein what hath passed sithence between Mr.
Secretary [Walsingham] and me, may appear by this
minute inclosed, so as now I have yielded to peruse them
when I shall be thereunto appointed, and I find that it
is not misliked, that my plain, round, and sincere dealing
(if it be lawful to say so well of myself) doth win me
credit, because they find that as I [do] not fear to do
the duty of my charge, so I do nothing maliciously or
frowardly. And thus, with humble remembrance of my
duty, I commit your good lordship to the merciful pro-
tection of the Almighty.

From Tutbury, &c.

V

To 7ny Lord Treasui'er^ 10° Jtmii, 1585.
My very good Lord, — Considering that by occasion
of the term now in hand, your lordship shall be absent
sometimes from the Court, I am bold to trouble you with
this copy inclosed, addressed herewith to Mr. Secretary,
which I send to your lordship in respect only of this
Queen's opinion touching the French troubles, and thus
resting at your commandment, I commit your good
lordship to the merciful protection, &c.

The letter to Walsingham here mentioned is worthy of
insertion, though it is in the Record Office.^

To Sir Francis Walsingham, 10° Junii, 1585.
Sir, — The occasion of my writing from hence is always
so slender as besides that I ought to make conscience to
trouble the posts without just cause, I fear also to be
troublesome unto you, and from hence it cometh that
you hear not more often from me, and now I write rather
for fashion sake than for any matter of substance.
1 Vol. XV., n. 98 ; Harl. MSS., 6,993, f- ^7-

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 37

On Sunday, the nth of this present, after dinner, this
Queen sent Nau to my wife and me to come unto her,
which we did and found her in her bed, but had left her
diet that day, and did intend to leave her bed the next
morrow, and in the end of the week to take the air abroad.
After long speech of matters of nothing, she told me that
she took it unkindly that in all this time of her diet, she
had not been visited from the Queen's Majesty either
by her letters or at the least by some m.essage, a thing
which she knew her Highness had vouchsafed to do
often to the Earl of Shrewsbury, and to many other of
baser quality, whereby she might perceive the little care
was had of her, which appeared also in that she could
have no answer of so many letters which she had sent
to her Majesty, wherein of her part she would save
labour hereafter, and would forbear to say or write any
more, finding that she was kept to no other use than to
serve a turn, when upon some new accident need might
require it, and therefore was resolved to shake off all
opinion of hope, and to refer herself and her causes to
God's providence ; concluding that she would be glad
her Majesty did know how unkindly she took it that she
had not been visited from her in all this time of her diet.

I told her I would not do her so much wrong to be
the messenger of so unkind a message, because I could
not see that there was any ground of this hard conceit,
being assured that her Majesty had not received any
information at all of her sickness, but rather that she had
been hunting and hawking at sundry times, and the day
next before the departure of Sir Ralph Sadler had been
walking in the garden. This manner of her diet being
not esteemed in this country as a sickness, but rather a
mean to prevent sickness that might come hereafter.

She answered that she had advertised her Majesty
by her letters of her sickness and lameness, and had
signified by the same that no receipt of physic could

38 Sir Amias Poulet,

so much further her health as the assurance of her
Highness' favour. I prayed her to believe constantly
that her Majesty had great care of her health and of
her good estate, affirming that I could speak it of my
own knowledge, as a thing which I had heard at her
Highness' own mouth.

Then glancing at her unhappiness in that she was
encountered every day with new occasions to the hin-
drance of her desires, which she understood by the
French Ambassador's letters to have had the slower
passage by reason of the French troubles, she asked
what I had heard of them. I said I had heard no more
than that which I had read in the French Ambassador's
letters directed unto her, which I had perused as she
did know.

She asked if I thought that the Queen's mother's
mediation would prevail. I answered that although I did
concur in opinion with the French Ambassador that the
French King might not endure with his honour that
arms should be taken in his country without his per-
mission, and would never condescend to the outrageous
demands of controllers ; yet I did think that this war
would be ended by composition of preferments in honours
and dignities, to be bestowed in some good measure upon
her kinsmen, which I doubted not they would gladly
accept, and the rather because they were abandoned
(which I said the French Ambassador's letters did import)
of a great number of the French nobility, whose assistance
they expected.

" You are deceived," quoth she ; " these wars will be
drawn into great length;" and then,^ whispering me in
the ear, said that France would be cantoned after the
German fashion, as that Champaigne, Burgundy, Picardy,
Lyonnois, and some other parts adjoining to the Duke
of Savoy would take that course, and that the project
hereof was laid long since.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 39

I was very willing to sound her farther upon this
subject, and thereupon told her that I remembered when
I was Ambassador in France her kinsman the Duke of
Guise was the head and principal party in many leagues
and associations which were made at that time in many
parts of France ; and although the same was pretended
to be done with the King's good favour and assent, yet
many of good judgment were of opinion that it carried a
meaning of cantoning. "Yea," saith she, "this matter hath
not slept, but hath been much laboured since that time,
and when Monsieur went first to Cambray, Normandy
had taken arms if her kinsman had not stayed it." She
seemed unwilling to discourse farther of this matter,
excusing her kinsmen so coldly as it might appear she
was nothing glad of [their] enterprise.

It is now long since that this Queen was restrained
to give her alms as I have heretofore written unto you,
and yet in all this time I had heard nothing therein
from her own mouth until this present, that bewraying
with many words her discontented mind, she said she
might easily see that no account was made of her. If
any seemed willing to further [her] causes, or would be
content to hear well of her, he was greatly misliked ;
if [any] spake ill of her, as some had spoken so ill as
they could not speak worse, they were rather allowed
than blamed. Yea, it was not thought meet that any
should think there were virtue or goodness in her, "or
else," saith she, "why did you restrain me to give any alms
to the poor folks, who would perchance have prayed for
my better health, which was all the hurt that could have
ensued of my almsgiving .-^ " And then she recited that,
during her being at Buckstone [Buxton], she was moved
in pity to give a smock to a poor naked woman, which
was carried to her Majesty with great advantage, as if
she had a purpose to win the hearts of the people by
indirect means. "But shall I tell you," quoth she, "what

40 Sir Amias Poulet,

will ensue hereof? You fear lest by giving alms I should
win the favour of the people, but you ought rather to
fear lest the restraining of my alms may animate the
people against you."

I prayed her to give me leave to deliver my simple
opinion unto her in all plainness, which was that giving
of alms was a thing convenient in all estates and degrees,
but not expedient in all times and all seasons, neither
meet to be distributed by all kinds of people to all sorts
of people without difference. If her giving of alms had
no other meaning than to do the office of a Christian
conscience, she might bestow her liberality by her
Ministers in other countries, which would be no less
acceptable before God than if she had given the same
here with her own hands. The laws of this realm had
provided so carefully for the relief of the poor as none
could want, but either through their own lewdness, or
by the negligence of the officers of several parishes, so
as it was to be trusted that the people here had no need
of her alms, and that it could not be denied but that, by
what means I know not, she had gotten the hearts of
some bad subjects in this realm, when in her favour
they were content to take arms against their Prince and
country.

"They were two earls,"^ said she, "which were discon-
tented upon private occasions." " But these two," quoth I,
" carried great multitudes with them," wishing her to carry
this constant opinion, that as no alms whatsoever could
procure her any favour that might stand her in stead,
so I feared nothing the danger that might come unto
me by restraining her alms. " But," saith she, "when I am
sick in body or troubled in mind, and would be glad to
be assisted with the prayers of the poor people, I must
say it is hard, or rather barbarous, to restrain me."

' The Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland, the leaders of the
insurrection of the north, in 1569.

Keeper of Mary Quee7i of Scots. 4 1

Nau having before that time declared unto me that
his mistress would complain to her Majesty of this
rigour, as he termed it, I concluded that I doubted not
but that she had or would give information of my
doings herein, and by the answer she should know what
opinion was conceived hereof in other places. Indeed,
Mr. Somer hath written unto me that he hath seen
this Queen's letters to the French Ambassador to this
effect, terming the restraint a rigour.

If I might hear sometimes from you of the French
proceedings, I might deal the better with this Queen in
many respects, and therefore I am bold to renew this
suit again unto you.

Although, as I have before written in the first part of
this letter, I told this Queen that I would not do her so
much wrong to be her messenger of that unkind message
to her Majesty, because she should not expect answer
thereof, yet I have thought it agreeable with my duty to
advertise the same.

Request was made unto me yesterday to permit Sharp
to ride five miles hence to see certain horses, which I
refused, whereupon Nau came unto me this last evening,
and after a long and tedious discourse of the great
promises of favour towards his mistress, which he had
received from her Majesty at his last being at the Court,
finding by late experience that she is more straitly used
than in time past, and here rippeth up all the old rigour,
as he called them, as also that she had heard nothing
from her Highness in answer of her several letters, would
needs draw it into a peremptory consequence that there
was no meaning to treat farther with her, concluding that
he spake it as of himself, not commanded by his mistress.

Surely you would have been merry to have heard the
talk that followed between him and me,^ wherein I think

^ '* He [Poulet] so little trusted his power to match such a diplomatist,
that he dared not speak to Nau." Fronde's History, vol. xi., p. 579.

42 Sir Amias Poulel,

I was more plain with him than his mistress durst to have
been, and advising him to peruse with leisure and judgment
the French Ambassador's late letters to his mistress, wherein
he setteth down at good length the just and necessary
causes of the stay of this treaty, and yet giveth great hope
that as time and occasions shall change, the same may go
forward with effect. I told him he should do well to follow
the same course, and considering his great credit with his
mistress, to beware to abuse it to her hurt by his distem-
pered and violent counsels, wherein his haste might make
more waste in one hour than he could recompense in all
his life after. Yet [it] was easy to see that his necessary
inferences in Princes' causes were uttered by direction, and
did proceed from his mistress' own mouth, and so I took
it, and therefore would forbear to answer him any farther
therein, concluding that I was expressly commanded by
her Majesty to intreat this Queen honourably, and to have
singular and special care of her health, and of her safety
against all dangers, and therefore, if I had done anything
that deserved the name of rigour and straitness, I must
submit myself to the censure of the Queen my mistress.

He would needs persuade me that I was wise and
discreet, and that I had done nothing herein but by
direction from above. I reported me therein to his own
judgment, who knew very well that all my invocations had
been very sudden, so as the fault being found in one day
was redressed the next morrow, which could not be done
by order from above, but it sufficeth me that my con-
science told me I had done nothing herein frowardly or
maliciously, and that I had no other respect than her
Majesty's service, from the which I would never be diverted
for any other respect whatsoever.

Although all these alterations seemed to have been
buried, and as I think, had not been renewed but upon the
occasion before recited touching Sharp, yet, no doubt,
they are grieved amongst the rest with these things,

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 43

especially that they are removed from walking on the
walls ; that Sharp may not ride abroad as in times past,
alone at his pleasure ; that he hath his lodgings within the
house, which he had heretofore without the gate ; that they
cannot take their walks into the town ; that none of my
servants from the highest to the lowest, do eat, drink, talk,
or confer with them ; and finally, that this lady's alms are
restrained ; wherein I will say no more but that, if you
were here in my place, I am much deceived if you would
not say with me that the least of all these abuses might
breed great and dangerous inconveniences. When flesh
and blood hath done what it can, yet, as things are
compassed here, all their treacherous means can never be
avoided. And yet, reason commandeth to redress all open
and known faults.

I know Nau better than I may make known by writing,
and I know him so well as I would be glad with all my
heart he were removed, and his place supplied with any
two others whosoever, I care not out of what country or
from whence they came.

Nau, in his long discourse, told me amongst other
things, that Sir Ralph Sadler and also Mr. Somer were
known to have said that no honest^ Englishman would
serve this Queen, and that they could not think them
honest that would serve her ; whereof he informed [me]
that there was a meaning to make his mistress a mere
stranger to all English subjects. This argueth their
unthankfulness, which I can prove many ways in the
cause of my predecessors, and therefore a yard and
inch is a good measure for them, and it may be given
with such temperance as it will be as thankworthy as
if they had larger measure. I have troubled you too
much, now I leave you to the fatherly keeping of the
Almighty.

From Tutbury, &c.

^ The word is used in the old sense of faithful, loyal.

44 •^^'^ A^nias Poulet,

The assertion in the following letter, that it " was sent by an
honest man," is at first a little startling, as this is the way in
which, when the plot for Mary's destruction was in progress,
Poulet used to designate the brewer who was concerned in it
The phrase must however be simply a coincidence, for the plot
was not yet hatched. Mr. Froude thinks that the brewer was so
christened by Poulet in irony ; but may it not simply mean a
trustworthy agent? So Morgan, in his letter says, "the other
may be made an honest man and an instrument to serve your
Majesty;" and so, when Poulet told Mary that he was the
servant of the Queen of England and would not fail to do the
duty of his charge, she answered that she " could not blame his
honesty."

To my Lord Treasurer, the i6th y anMarii\Jn7ie\ 1585.

My very good Lord, — This bearer, my servant, being
upon the point of his departure towards London for his
necessary business, I received your lordship's most favour-
able letters, dated at Tibalds, the 14th of this present, for
the which I most humbly thank your good lordship, and
would not fail to acknowledge your favour with more
plenty of words, if the messenger were not pressed to
take his journey with speed, whereby I am forced to write
in this short manner, which it may please your lordship to
take in good part, as proceeding from one that would be
loth to be found unthankful, although otherwise not able
to do your lordship any service. The two letters which
your lordship received last from me were diversely sent,
the one with a packet to Mr. Secretary, tied to the same
with a thread, the other being first in date, and containing
some matter touching the opening of this Queen's packets,
was sent by an honest man travelling towards London,
who promised to deliver the said letters at your lordship's
house on Saturday last, at night, and I think will not
fail to perform his promise.

I think myself bound yet once again to thank your
lordship most humbly for your liberal letters, written in a

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 45

time of so little leisure, when you expected her Majesty
the next day. Beseeching God to assist this honourable
assembly with His mercy and favour, and to bless and
prosper all your lordship's actions to His glory and your
increase of honour.
From Tutbury, &c.

In the letter to Sir Francis Walsingham, of June 22,^ after
giving his opinion respecting foreign politics, and that "it
hehoveth us to provide for our own safety by liberal support
of Protestant Princes abroad, and especially by the good amity
of Scotland," Poulet says a i^\{ words of his prisoner's health,
which are repeated word for word in the next letter to Lord
Burghley.

The Earl of Leicester was Master of the Queen's Horse, or
as Poulet calls it "her Majesty's Race," as well as Lord High
Steward of her Household. In the former capacity, he received
the following letter.

To my Lord of Leicester, 22° Junii, 1585.

My very good Lord, — I have received your lordship's
letters of the 5 th of this present, by the which you require
my assent and furtherance in retaining of the little park
adjoining to this castle for the use of her Majesty's Race,
under your lordship's charge, as likewise that the provision
of firewood for this household, now taken in Castlehaye
Park, may be removed to some other place.

Touching the first, I wrote unto your lordship long
sithence, that forasmuch as the horses belonging to this
castle were to attend upon the Scottish Queen upon every
short warning, it was of necessity that either the horses
must have grass at hand, or else must be kept continually
at house, which would prove chargeable to her Majesty,
referring to your lordship's consideration, if the little
park might be spared to this use or no. But receiving
no answer from your lordship, I hired a ground of

^ Vol. XV., n. 100.

46 Sir Amias Poulety

Mr. Candishe [Cavendish], adjoining to the said park, at
the price of forty marks by the year, which serveth very
fitly to this purpose, and do think that Mr. Candishe will
be entreated to spare the said ground during this service,
so as there will be no cause to desire the park.

The wood in Castlehaye Park may not be spared
without some loss to her Majesty in respect of the
carriage, which is already discharged for one whole year,
to be ended in February next, by the counties of Stafford,
Derby, and Leicester, at the rate of \6d. for every load,
with 2d. to be paid by her Highness ; the greater part of
this contribution being already levied, and no new compo-
sition can be made for this year, and it is not to be hoped
that they will come to any larger contribution the next
year.

Mr. Eton and Mr. Darrell, upon a view taken by them
of that walk of Nedewood Forest, which is nearest
adjoining to this castle (as, indeed, it is to no purpose
to speak of the other walks, in respect of their far
distance), as also of Stockley Park, distant from hence
less than two miles, do find that those two places will
furnish this castle of firewood during the space of three
years, or thereabouts.

One Alsopp, yeoman of her Majesty's Race, proffering
to carry all the wood out of Stockley Park at \%d. the
load, and out of all the forest walk of Nedewood at 2s. the
load ; so as the surcharge of the first is only 2d. in every
load, and of the other Zd. in every load, the wood in
Stockley Park being said to be sufficient for one year or
two, in which time her Majesty's charge will be little
increased.

Thus I have delivered unto your lordship the true state
of the matter, referring the same to the better conside-
ration of your lordship and others of her Majesty's
Council, only I shall pray you to consider that the summer
season is well spent, the ways hereabouts so foul, as there

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 47

is no means to carry wood after Michaelmas, and there-
fore, if it shall be resolved to remove this service out of
Castlehaye Park, it may please your lordship to procure
warrant for the taking of wood in Stockley Park, or
Nedewood, to be sent hither without delay. Thus, with
humble remembrance of my duty, I commit your good
lordship, &c.

To my Lord Treasurer^ 22 Junii^ 1585.

My very good Lord, — Mr. Candishe [Cavendish] his
house adjoining to the walks of this castle, was so neces-
sary for this service in many things this last winter, as it
might not have been spared by any means, and hereafter,
by reason of our provision of hay, corn, straw, and other
like household stores, besides some lodgings for servants,
will be more needful than at any time before.

Mr. Candishe hath belonging to this house no great
quantity of grounds, and yet they are such as may stand
us in great stead for the summering of our horses, for hay
for the stable, and for other profitable commodities.

There remaineth one other thing worthy of conside-
ration, in my simple opinion, which is that Mr. Candishe,
and my lady his wife, being straitly lodged in a house
distant from this castle four miles or thereabouts, do, for
their recreation, make their often repair to this house,
a matter which may prove dangerous unto them, this
people being very willing to entertain such like old
acquaintance, whereof I have had some experience of
late, and therefore would be glad to avoid the occasion.
And the rather because I find Mr. Candishe well affected
to her Majesty's service, and for his liberal proffers to that
purpose have good cause to like well of him.

Upon the considerations (without making any mention
of this latter), I have conferred with Mr. Candishe, who is
well content to exchange the use of his whole house
(reserving a chamber or two for the keeping of his stuff)

48 Sir Amias Poulet,

for the use of Lord Paget's house at Burton, and his
grounds here for other grounds to Hke value there, wherein
he deserveth thanks in my simple opinion. And now, if it
shall please your lordship to allow of this bargain, I trust
to see him satisfied, and the service shall be greatly
furthered.

I repent greatly that I have forgotten to pray your
lordship to reserve the parks of Beaudesert and Bromley
for the use of this house, which will serve to great purpose,
as well for provision of venison as other ways, and shall be
so husbanded, as her Majesty shall find her officers here
profitable tenants.

It may please your lordship to do me that favour
to peruse these copies inclosed of letters which I have
received of late from my Lord of Leicester, and of my
answer to the same.

This Queen took the air in the garden here the i8th of
this present, and the next morrow went abroad in her
coach, so as now I think I shall be driven henceforth to
forget the gout, and stand to my limbs.

Thus, with humble remembrance of duty, I beseech
God to preserve and keep your lordship in long life and
good health.

From Tutbury, &c.

The threat, so broadly expressed in the following letter, ^ that
in case of an attempt at rescue, the Queen of Scots should at
once be killed, is not here made for the first time. Lord Shrews-
bury had said the same, and Somer, when defending Sir Ralph
Sadler for having permitted her to go out hawking, said that " if
any danger had been offered, or doubts suspected, this Queen's
body should first have tasted of the gall."-

To Sir Francis IValsiftghajn, the ^th of July, 1585.
Sir, — Whereas it hath pleased her Majesty to commit
unto me the charge, as well as of the safe keeping of this

1 Harl. MSS., 6,993, f- 94- ^ Vol. xv., n. 60.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 49

Queen, as of the restraining of her, and such as attend
upon her, from secret conveyance of letters and other like
practices, and for my better instruction and direction in
that behalf, hath delivered unto me certain articles, com-
manding me to have a special care to see the same duly
put in execution touching the safety and forthcoming of
this Queen's person, I will never ask pardon if she depart
out of my hands by any treacherous slight or cunning
device, because I must confess that the same cannot come
to pass without some gross negligence, or rather traitorous
carelessness : and if I shall be assaulted with force at home
or abroad,' as I will not be beholden to traitors for my
life, whereof I make little account in respect of my alle-
giance to the Queen my sovereign, so I will be assured
by the grace of God that she shall die before me, so as
I doubt not to perform this first point, and (as I may say)
the substance of my charge, to the full discharge of my
duty.

Concerning the other part of my instructions, by the
which I am commanded to restrain this people from
secret conveyance of letters and other like practices, my
conscience beareth me witness, and my doing I hope
shall testify for me, that as I have been very careful and
curious to perform every syllable contained in my instruc-
tions with all preciseness and severity, so I have not been
negligent to observe all the actions, as well of those of
this family as of others abroad, and have done all my
endeavour to make this people and their friends to
know that if it were possible I would not be deceived
by them.

I have (I thank God) reformed no small number of
abuses of dangerous consequence, and experience doth
inform me daily of other such new faults as might carry
great peril, which I omit not to redress by little and little
as I may, and do not doubt to reduce to some better
order in time convenient ; and among these faults I

E

50 Sir Amias Pom let y

account this not the least, that upon due examination
of the qualities of all her Majesty's under ministers in
this house, from whence they came, and on whom they
depended before their coming hither, I have just cause
to suspect that divers of them were foisted in to serve
turns which may not be imputed to Sir Ralph Sadler,
who had no dealings therein, as likewise Mr. Cave,^ being
a stranger in these parts, could not know them or judge
of them.

All these sores are nothing grievous unto me, because
I have the remedy in my own power; but there is yet
remaining one disorder, which is so foul, as it [is] easily
seen, but not so easily redressed. And because the same
is expressly mentioned in my instructions, I find myself
the more nearly touched in honesty and credit to utter
my simple opinion therein, and to pray her Majesty's
direction for the reformation thereof.

It is set down in my instructions, amongst other things,
that cochers [coachmen], laundresses and such like, have
heretofore been used as principal instruments for the
conveying of letters [and] messages, and therefore I am
commanded to have special regard that a watchful eye
be carried over them, and that their doings be so
observed as the like inconvenience may not grow by
them hereafter.

The cocher [Sharp] is so restrained, and so narrowly
observed, as he can do no hurt, although no doubt he
wanteth no goodwill to do all service possible to this
Queen his mistress.

The laundresses are three in number, whereof the
chiefest and the trustiest in treachery is sister to Sharp's
wife, and one of the other two sister to Sharp. What
fruits are to be expected from this people so nearly allied
to Sharp I refer to your judgment. Mr. Somer had a
good opinion of them, and commended them greatly to

^ Bryan Cave preceded Marmaduke Darrell as Master of the Household.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 5 1

me and my wife for their honesty and plain dealing. So
as I found two of them unsworn at my coming hither,
which since have received their oath/ Mr. Somer affirm-
ing that the third had been sworn at Sheffield. These
women wash, eat and drink, and are lodged in a little
house in the park adjoining to this castle, without the
precinct of the said castle. They have by this means full
liberty to go where they list by day or night. They may
receive into their houses whom they will. The keeper of
the said park, servant to Mr. Candishe [Cavendish], is their
very near neighbour. They have access to this Queen
and her gentlewomen for their clothes, and now, what is
it that they may not carry and convey here and there at
their pleasure } You will say they may be searched as
they pass in and out. Indeed, all other laundresses which
serve the gentlemen and other of the Scottish retinue arc
stayed at the gate, and their clothes are searched, received,
and delivered, but this Queen's laundresses have been
always allowed to go to her chamber, and it may be
that these things do require sometimes such conference
as were not meet to be uttered in the presence of
soldiers. To make narrow search of these clothes at
the gate, as it cannot be comely, so it will be as little
profitable, unless the women be also stripped unto their
smocks.

Although I had no certainty of any good success, yet
when I have observed that this people hath been busy
in writing a day or two, I have appointed some of my
trustiest servants to watch about the laundry all night,
taking order with them, that if any did approach the
house, to permit him to pass quietly, and to stay him in
his return, and if he did not return, then to enter the
house in the morning and to arrest him there. But as
I thought good to hazard this labour, so it hath been
hazarded without profit, and in truth, when I consider the

^ A copy of the soldiers' oath is in the State Papers, vol. xv., n. 28.
E 2

52 Sir Amias Potdety

ready means which these laundresses have, either by this
keeper, or by any other of their old acquaintance, whereof
there is good store here at hand, I may easily see that
they may do at high noon what they shall think meet,
and need not to trouble themselves at unseasonable
hours.

This service being so subject to so open and apparent
means of treacherous devices, I have thought agreeable
with my duty, and to stand best with my discharge against
all events, to deliver them plainly and fully unto you,
referring the same to the grave consideration of her
Majesty. Only I will say that, in my simple opinion, there
is no other remedy to redress this abuse but by removing
of these women and placing others in their room, which
being well chosen may in all likelihood prove honest and
faithful, but the rather if they be taken out of some
country far distant from this castle. This alteration will
breed (no doubt) great storms and marvellous unkind -
ness, which shall trouble me nothing at all if it shall be
found to import her Majesty's service.

This Queen hath been thrice abroad in her coach, and
hath been also at some other times in the garden, carried
thither in a chair, but useth sometimes her feet, being
sustained by two of her gentlemen, so as it seemeth that
her legs are yet weak, and indeed are wrapped in gross
manner, as hath appeared to my wife. It is greatly
misliked that she is accompanied in her walking abroad
with so many horsemen, all furnished with snaphaunces^ or
cases of pistols, and a good number of harquebuziers on
foot with their matches lighted, attending on her coach.
The first day it was thought to be done for fashion's sake,
and not meant to be continued. The second day Nau was
sick, and when he is absent all things are well taken. The
third day Nau being present, it was secretly pretended
that this Queen's person might be in danger, and that she

^ Snaphatince, a firelock. Dutch, snaphaan.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 5 3

had more cause to fear her keeper than he had to be afraid
of foreign violence, and forsooth to keep her from harm,
Nau and Curie may not depart from her coach. This is
a secret which I must pray you most earnestly not to
discover to any other than to her Majesty. If I play not
the blab, I shall know more. It is thought she will try
how my harquebuziers on foot will hold out when she
rideth upon her horse, but I must tell her that soft riding
is best for her health. And indeed she shall be deceived,
if she hope to go beyond the limits of two miles prescribed
unto me,^ although she shall never know by me how far
they extend.

I find by this little experience of her going abroad,
that I had some reason to restrain this Queen's alms,
which should have been distributed by one appointed to go
to that purpose from house to house, as by my former
letters hath been advertised, wherein she had been prodigal
in times past, as (no doubt) she hath gotten the hearts of
the whole town, a matter of no consequence because the
town is little and beggarly, but it is certain that the fame
thereof hath won her credit in other places. She hath
bestowed in this town little less than twenty marks in one
day, and if I should tell you what I have heard by credible
report of her liberality, as well within this castle as abroad,
and for the more part upon very slender occasions, you
would find it strange. Of this one thing I will assure you,
that none of my servants or soldiers shall be beholden unto
her or to any belonging unto her for one penny during
my service in this place. Serving-men and soldiers are
slippery fellows, and I may be deceived, but I dare
promise great things for these, and I think they will not
deceive me. I take strait order that this Queen is not
followed in her going by any others of any quality what-
soever than myself and my retinue, and yet I see she

•^ Poulet's instructions say two miles. The original draft of them sail I
three (Vol. xv., n. 50).

54 ^^'^ A77tias Potilet^

giveth daily upon light occasions, and in very liberal sort,
and I am deceived if she be not sorry that she giveth not
more than she doth give, as well in alms as in rewards
otherwise.

They seek as much as they can to hide their gifts from
me, but they find they have many eyes upon them. As I
think it is not meant that they shall be restrained to give
alms to a poor man meeting them upon the way, so I am
of opinion that you will not allow that passing through a
street they shall cast down their alms in good little sums
to be taken up by them that list to stoop for it, and so to
give they know not to whom, wherein is more ostentation
in appearance than charity.

I have been informed that every chamber of the
Scottish retinue here hath his case of pistols, and that
some chambers have more, for the certain knowledge
whereof I prayed them [a] fortnight since to permit
Mr. D,arrell to take an inventory of their several chambers,
a thing very needful for his discharge and mine, which hath
been delayed by Nau hitherunto, but is promised to be
performed one day this week. I do not think that they
will hide those things, because they are said to have had
them now many years, and finding them I desire to know
what I shall do therein. If they will be provided of pistols
for their surety when by her Majesty's licence they shall
take any journey, it may be permitted with this condition
in my simple opinion, that they remain in the custody of
the governor here until they shall have occasion to use
them.

A Scottish pirate hath given out that he trusted to
meet my son, Anthony Poulet, on his way towards Jersey,
and would not fail to keep him for a pledge of my good
behaviour towards this Queen ; and, indeed, I am persuaded
that my charge there carrieth the more danger in respect
of [my] charge here, most humbly praying her Majesty, if
any soldiers should be put in readiness for Guernsey, that

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 55

the like may be done for Jersey. I have been so spare in
asking, as one loth to put her Majesty to needless charges,
that [I] assure you I have not one spare caliver^ in that
castle, and as little store of powder. It is true that I had
this last year a supply of thirty calivers, half a last^ of
corn powder, and a last of serpentine powder, and this
might suffice in a time of peace, but these threatening
days do require a better store.

It may please you to take order for the conveyance of
this letter inclosed to the Lord Deputy of Ireland, and
thus referring all those things to your better consideration,
I commit you to God, who prosper all your actions to
His glory.

From Tutbury, &c.

Sir Ralph Sadler had heard that Poulet was willing to under-
take this office. The next letter, which is addressed to Sir John
Perrot, Lord Deputy of Ireland, shows signs of discontent.
These steadily increase during the ensuing correspondence.
Perrot's "service of great toil," was a war of extermination
against the Catholics of Ireland. "The execution system," says
Mr. Froude,^ "notwithstanding the fair promises with which Sir
John Perrot commenced his administration, was continued, which
seemed intended to clear the south " of Ireland " of its remaining
population."

To Sir John Perrot, Lord Deputy of Irelmid, 5 yulii, 1585.
My good Lord and friend, — As your letters of April
came slowly to my hands, so I answer them slowly,
and yet as willingly as any letters have been answered
these seven years. I trust not to live so long to be
forgetful of an old acquaintance and so good a friend

^ Calivet; a lighter weapon than a musket, and fired without a rest.
Latkam.

^ Last of gunpowder, twenty-four barrels, each containing one hundred
pounds. Maadloch.

' History, vol. xii., p. 89.

56 Sir Aniias Poulet,

as is Sir John Perrot, and I pray you believe that Amice
Poulet is towards you one and the same, and will so
remain your assured to my little power.

I trusted to have written unto you by a messenger
out of these parts, but being disappointed thereof, I send
my letters to Mr. Secretary, who (I trust) will convey
them unto you with the next.

You write that you are placed in a service of great
toil and little thanks, wherein I am deceived if I be much
behind you, being cast out into the north, where I want
no care, and shall buy my thanks dearly if I have any.
Let it suffice both you and me that as we [are] Christian
subjects, so we are bound to obey, and accept of any
standing or calling that shall be appointed unto us. God
give us grace to do the duties of good and faithful servants,
and then the same God will not fail to bless our labours ;
and thus, with my most hearty commendations, I commit
you to the Almighty, who prosper all your actions to
His glory.

From my prison in Tutbury Castle, &c.

Elizabeth's closeness in money matters kept Poulet in con-
tinual straits. He now begins a series of complaints to the Lord
Treasurer of the want of ready money which only end with his
charge. The two " families " were numerous, and it is clear that
Mr. Darrell held no sinecure. Sir Ralph Sadler has left on record
the number of Mary's retinue, and the provision that was made
for them in answer to "A note of certain points to be resolved by
Sir R. Sadler,"! Wingfield, November 5, 1584.

"What number of persons the said Queen hath attending
her?

" Forty-eight, viz., herself, five gentlemen, fourteen servitors,
three cooks, four boys, three gentlemen's men, six gentlewomen,
two wives, ten wenches and children.

"What number of chambers shall be thought meet to be
furnished for the said Queen ?

* Vol. xiv., n. 25 ; Sadler's State Papers, vol. ii., p. 437.

Keeper of Mary Quee7i of Scots, 5 7

" She hath for herself two, and for her maids three, besides
two for two women that have their husbands here, and eight for
her gentlemen, officers, and men servants; in all, fifteen. Note,
that the two secretaries, master of her household, her physician,
and De Preau, have several chambers, and so always have had.

"What the Queen of Scots' ordinary diet is, both fish-days
and flesh-days ?

" About sixteen dishes at both courses, dressed after their
own manner. Sometimes more or less, as the provision serveth.

" How many messes, besides her own diet, are served to the
rest of her train ; and in what sort the said messes are furnished,
both fish-days and flesh-days ?

" The two secretaries, master of her household, the physician,
and De Preau, have a mess of seven or eight dishes, and do dine
always before the Queen, and their own servants have their
reversion ; and the rest of her folk dine with the reversion of her
meat. Also her gentlewomen and the two wives and other maids
and children, being sixteen, have two messes of meat of nine
dishes at both courses for the better sort, and five dishes for the
meaner sort."

To my Lord Treasurer 5 Julh, IS^S-^
My very good Lord, — I know I have many shrewd
eyes fixed upon me, and that [it] behoveth me to eat with
a long spoon ; and therefore, fearing to be charged with
remissness in the execution of the instructions received
from her Majesty, I have thought good to write herewith
to Mr. Secretary, to such effect as may appear by this
copy inclosed, humbly praying your lordship to assist
me there with your favourable opinion, if the contents of
my said letters shall be called in question before your
lordship. My purpose and meaning is, according to your
lordship's grave and most friendly advice, to keep the
broad highway in all my actions and doings, and will
strive to be blameless, if it be possible, even in the
judgment of those that would not be sorry for my blame,
if any such be.

1 Harl. MSS.y 6,993, f 93-

5 8 Sir Amias Poidet,

It may please your lordship to receive herewith a view
of this last month's expenses of household here, by the
which I trust will appear that myself and Mr. Darrell
have done our best endeavours to lessen her Majesty's
charges, and surely it cannot be expected that the same
can be reduced to a lower rate. I may say truly, that
if this household were kept at my charge, I would not
fail to spend many things which now are spared. My
table is furnished with plenty of good meats (God and
her Majesty be thanked for it), but without excess, or
dishes of charge, little expense of wine, little expense of
spices. Your lordship shall find that the charges are
lessened every month by at the least two oxen and
twenty sheep, three or four hogsheads of wine, and in
all other things that are spent by me and mine after
that rate. I received from your lordship, at my coming
from London, 800/., but it was all spent before my arrival
here, and sithence I have had of Mr. Bagot 500/., which
by reason of our provision of beefs, muttons, and wines,
besides the ordinary expenses of household, are also
consumed, and Mr. Darrell in debt to me and some
others, whereof it may [please] your lordship to have
consideration.

Your lordship shall do me singular favour, and no
less to Mr. Candishe, to rid him out of his house in
this town ; and thus, resting at your lordship's com-
mandment, I commit you to the fatherly protection of
the Almighty.

From Tutbury, &c.

The next letter relates to one of Walsingham's spies, an
apostate, who was "very careful to entertain his credit with the
Papists," that he might betray them. The letter was signed by
Thomas Gresley as well as by Poulet, and this accounts for the
way in which Poulet names himself in it, as in a previous letter
which was written jointly by himself and Sir Ralph Sadler.

Keeper' of Mary Queen of Scots. 59

To Sir Francis Walsinghavi^ 9 Julii, 1585.
Sir, — This bearer, naming himself Robert Woodward,^
finding me. Amice Poulet, yesterday in the evening at the
gate of this castle, delivered unto me this little paper book
inclosed, upon the perusing whereof entering into further
communication with him, I found that after he had served
many masters in this realm, he roved beyond the seas, and
there spent six or seven years in France and Italy, and
being returned from thence two years past, or thereabouts,
had been very careful to entertain his credit with the
Papists of these parts, and to that purpose had travelled
from one shire to another, to no other end, as he said, than
to know them, that he might discover them, and among
other things, told me that he was born within two miles of
the Earl of Shrewsbury's house at Wingfield, and that
his mother, yet living, and his elder brother, were tenants
to the said earl. Comparing these things together, I could
not be persuaded to think well of this man, doubting lest
his coming hither had been grounded upon some treachery,
and that he had some practice in hand for this people
under my charge, and therefore committing him, without
pretence of suspicion, to a chamber of this castle, under
the keeping of some of my servants, with promise to
speak with him again this morning, I sent to Mr. Gresley
to have his assistance in my proceeding herein. Upon
conference with him, he telleth us that indeed his desire
was to have made his repair unto you, but doubting the
goodness of his horse, came to me. Amice Poulet, and
sayeth that at his first return out of France he was brought
before you by John de Vigo, and having then uttered

^ In the original letter in the Public Record Office (Vol. xvi., n. 5),
"Robert Woodward" is erased, and instead is written, apparently by
Walsingham, "Thomas Taylor of Warsington." In a spy's letter to Burghley,
printed in Strype's Annals, vol. iii., App., p. 64, the passage occurs,
'• [Tither, in the Marshalsca] warned me to beware of one Robert Woodward,
who served some time Dr. Wenden, in Rome. They have great intelligence,
and fear him much."

6o Sir Amias Poulet,

unto you the whole course of his life, in like sort as now
unto us, was employed by you to discover the doings of
the Papists, which he did in Norfolk and Suffolk, to the
best of his power. We caused him to be searched, for our
better satisfaction, and now finding no appearance that
his coming hither was for any evil meaning, we thought
good to advise him to make his repair unto you, which we
did the more willingly because we find that he came to
inform you touching one Daniel Morton, who intendeth
to go shortly to the Court in Scotland, and willing to have
the company of this man in his journey, as likewise he will
advertise you of one James Harrison,^ a Seminary Priest,
and of John Bencroft, a coiner of money, affirming that
these two pieces inclosed were made by him. And thus
leaving to trouble you, we commit you to the mercy of
the Almighty.

From Tutbury, &c.

The next letter to Walsingham, dated July 14, 1585, is also in
the Record Office. ^ The following extract from it is about the
Priest Du Preau, '-'■alias Sir John," as Poulet calls him. His
unwillingness to let the town of Tutbury see him and the Priest
riding together is natural and amusing.

This Queen hath been discontented with me of late.
The cause is this, that taking great pleasure in a grey-
hound which was given unto her before my coming hither,
she desired to see him run at a deer, whereunto I assented,
but prayed Curie, the messenger, to desire the Queen, his
mistress, to take order that Du Preau {alias Sir John)
might not ride with her in this hunting. He asked the
cause. I said he ought to believe that I would not have
moved it without causes. This hunting was appointed in

^ Walsingham has underlined the name of "Harrison," and written in the
margin, "Anto BabingtS." There was, however, a "James Harrison, a
Seminary Priest," who was martyred at York, March 22, 1602.

- Vol. xvi., n. 10. I

Keepe}" of Mary Queen of Scots, 6i

Stockley Park, distant from this castle one mile, and the
only way thither is through this town. The man was left
behind, and this Queen, having hunted, in her return
called me unto her, and told me that she found my
message sent [by] Curie, touching Du Preau, very strange.
I prayed her to take it in good part, as a thing not
desired without reason. She said she could not like that
a servant should be forbidden to attend on her. I
answered that all her gentlemen waited on her, and
that I did not take Du Preau to be of that number, " I
must be attended," saith she, "by others than gentle-
men." "So you have, madam," quoth I, "one to carry your
cloak, and if you will have more I will not let it." She
said she did not like to be commanded in this sort. I
told her I did not command her, but prayed her to give
me leave to direct her servants. I was servant to the
Queen of England, and would not fail to do the duty of
my charge. I took no pleasure to offend her, and if she
would give me leave to be an honest man I would not
offend her. She said she could not blame my honest[y],
but could not like of this restraint of her servants. I
told her when she taketh the air in the meadows he
should be permitted to wait on her, but the town of
Tutbury should not hold him and me together. " Well,"
quoth she, "I find innovations every day." "I know none,"
quoth I, " but such as are reasonable." She said she would
complain to the Queen her good sister, and that she knew
these things came from above. I answered that indeed
my duty, which was the ground of my doings, came from
above ; but she might well judge that her Majesty had
no part in the matter then in question between her and
me. She was now come to the park gate, which inter-
rupted our speech, and sithence I have heard no more
of it. This man hath been accustomed to distribute the
alms of this Queen, and by that means is so well
known in Tutbury town, as when he appeareth all the

62 Sir Amias Poulet,

people resort unto him, because they have tasted of his
Hberality.

This Queen knoweth that the restraining of this man
hath no other hand than to let her almsgiving, which I
had rather she divined than I should signify so much
unto her. To avoid this giving of alms, I am commanded
by my instructions to remove the people from this Queen
and her company, which would serve to little purpose
unless I did also make fast the door, because they would
cast their alms into every door.

To my Lord Treasurer^ the i6th of July, 1585.
My very good Lord, — Having met this day by appoint-
ment with Mr. Harry Candishe at Burton for the view of
the Lord Paget's house there, I have received his resolute
answer, which is that I shall have grounds of him to the
value of 60/. by the year or thereabouts, and will be
content to take grounds at Burton in recompense, wherein
he will refer himself to the judgment of two gentlemen
to be indifferently chosen. Touching his house he prayeth
that consideration may be had of the great loss which he
shall sustain so many ways if he depart from it and dwell
at Burton, where he hath no provision of wood or corn,
which he hath in great plenty at Tutbury, and especially
of corn, having the tithes of many parishes adjoining ; he
shall lose the services of his tenants ; he shall amend
and maintain another man's house, and impair his own ;
he shall dwell in a populous poor town, which will be
chargeable unto him : besides the discontentment of his
mind in many respects : and for these causes desireth a
recompense of one hundred pounds by the year for the use
of his house, or else, being indebted to the sum of three
thousand pounds, that it may please her Majesty for so
many years as his house and grounds shall be employed
to this service, in full satisfaction of the one and the
other, to lend him two thousand pounds upon sufficient

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 63

sureties, whereof the Earl of Shrewsbury to be one, or
upon assurance of a good portion of land. This is his
final answer, and in my simple opinion is not much
different from reason. A gentlemen of his calling cannot
be removed in this sort without great hindrances and
greater discommodities. It may be, although he doth not
say it, he will be content with the loan of 1,500/. And
thus resting at your commandment, I commit your good
lordship to the favour and mercy of the Almighty.
From Tutbury, &c.

The next letter being in the Record Office,^ an extract from
it will here be sufficient. It is addressed to Sir Francis
Walsingham, July 17, 1585.

This Queen hath made no mention at all of removing
these six weeks or more, until yesterday late in the
evening, having sent for me to tell me that her packet
was ready, she complained of the coldness of her chamber,
being subject to the wind in many places by reason the
walls were not of stone, which she prayed to have
amended, and to that purpose to be removed by the
space of six weeks.

I told her I knew no house in this country fit for her,
and to remove far off for so short a time was not possible,
and that the faults in her chamber walls might be amended
although she did not remove. She said she thought those
faults would not so easily be repaired. I answered all
should be done that was possible.

She said no more, but I am deceived if I cannot tell
you rightly the ground of this motion. I have the promise
of Mr. Candishe's house in this town, and this day he and
I shall meet at Burton to deliver unto him in exchange
the Lord Paget's house there. Mr. Candishe undiscreetly
persuadeth himself that I take his house to serve for a

^ Vol. xvi., n. 14.

64 Sir Amias Poulet,

removing place for this Queen, although I never said so
much to him, and indeed would be ashamed to have
made him so foul a lie. This matter by her laundresses
or by some other such like mean is come to her ears, and
now she prayeth to be removed. I know Mr. Candishe's
house and this country so well, as I would not take upon
me to keep her there for one week for more money than
I shall spend these seven years. And thus I commit you
to the mercy and favour of the Almighty.
From Tutbury, &c.

Autograph postscript m the origiftal. Mr. Candishe
and I have met at Burton, but we cannot agree upon
the price.

The Henry Cavendish so frequently mentioned in these
letters at this period, was the eldest son of Sir William
Cavendish by his third wife, Bess of Hardwick, who married
fourthly George, ninth Earl of Shrewsbury, keeper of Mary
Queen of Scots from 1569 to 1584. The wife of Mr. Cavendish,
who is spoken of by Poulet as "an old acquaintance of this
Queen," was Lady Grace Talbot, daughter of the above-
mentioned George Earl of Shrewsbury by his first wife, Lady
Gertrude Manners. The mother of "young Pierrepont," whose
friends Lord Leicester warned Poulet to look to, was Frances,
wife of Sir Henry Pierrepont, Henry Cavendish's sister. The
young lady was the companion from her childhood of the Queen
of Scots. Writing to her, September 13, 1583,^ Mary begins
the letter, " Mignone," and addresses it, "To my well-beloved
bedfellow, Bess Pierpont."

To my Lord of Leicester^ . . . yjftii [sic] 1585.

My very good Lord, — Your lordship's letters of the

26th of the last were delivered unto me by the ordinary

post the loth of this present after. noon, so as it seemeth

your letters were misdated, or else the post made no post

1 CoUon. MSS., Vesp., F. iii., f. 38 ; Labanoflf, torn, v., p. 370.

Keeper of Mary Qiceen of Scots, 65

haste, but rather is worthy of blame for his negligence.
Your lordship promiseth to send hither shortly a warrant
for taking wood for the necessary use of this house, which
shall be very welcome.

I thank your lordship most humbly for your advertise-
ment contained in the paper^ inclosed in your said letters,
whereof I have had especial care, as may appear by my
letters written to Sir Francis Walsingham five days before
the receipt of yours, and had already conferred with
Mr. Candishe to redeem his house and grounds here in
exchange for the Lord Paget's house at Burton and other
grounds there to the value, thereby to avoid the occasion
of resort hither, and having written herein to my Lord
Treasurer, have now lately received direction from his
lordship to conclude this bargain with Mr. Candishe, which
I trust to do before many days pass.

I can assure your lordship that [no one] hath desired
to speak with Pierrepont sithence my coming hither.
They are too cunning to deal so grossly. And thus, with
humble remembrance of my duty, I commit your good
lordship to the mercy of the Almighty.

From Tutbury, &c.

Your lordship writeth in your minute that you know
letters have passed. Praying your lordship to do me the
favour to let me know your knowledge therein, because I
can hardly believe it. If it be true, it will stead me
greatly to know it; if it be untrue, your lordship shall
know by whom you have been abused.

Poulet, when asking for the stewardship of Lord Paget's
property, promised that it should be discharged by one of his
own servants, "to the good liking of the tenants." How far it
was to the good liking of the Catholic tenants we now see.
Mr. Ba)mham, who wanted to be made his deputy, is the man

^ The paper or minute is given after the following letter.
F

66 Sir Amias Poiclet^

who suggested to him to make the appUcation to Lord Burghley
for the stewardship. It would appear from the letter of January lo^.
that Baynham was appointed deputy-steward after all.

To my Lord Treasurer, . . . y«/«, 1585.

My very good Lord, — I think myself greatly bound
unto your lordship for the stewardship of the Lord Pagefs
lands, and do thank you no less for the choice of
Mr. Cradocke to serve as my deputy therein, of whom I
cannot conceive but well, being recommended by your
lordship, and have yielded gladly to your pleasure, which
I have signified unto him.

Mr. Baynham hath desired it by his letters, but they
came three days after yours. I was willing to have
bestowed it upon one of my servants, a man of sufficient
judgment and experience for this place, but it standeth
better with my discharge to have a man of better learning,
especially being well affected in religion, as Mr. Cradocke
is reported to be, so as, I trust, by his good endeavour,
joined with my assistance, so many recusants will not be
found hereafter among the Lord Paget's tenants as are
at this present. I thank your lordship once again for
the office and for my deputy.

It may please your lordship to peruse this letter
inclosed with the minute contained in the same ; by the
date of which said letters it may seem that my last letters
to Mr. Secretary were grounded upon the same minute.
But the truth is, that it came not to my hands until the
1 0th of this present month, which was five days after
the sending of my said letters. If his lordship's letters
were not misdated upon some meaning touching the
provision of wood for this house, it must be confessed
that there was great negligence in the post, because they
came to me by him.

I am not sorry that my letters to Mr. Secretary did
concur so well with this advertisement. Your lordship

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 67

seeth how much I presume upon your lordship's favour,
forbearing to trouble you with the copy of my letters sent
herewith to Mr. Secretary, for no other cause than that I
fear to be over troublesome unto your lordship ; but indeed
do desire nothing more than that it may be lawful for
me to acquaint your lordship with all my advertisements
from hence which shall import her Majesty's service or
my poor credit, as one desirous to submit all my doings
to your lordship's censure. As knoweth the Almighty,
who always preserve your good lordship.
From Tutbury, &c.

A copy of a Minute from my Lord of Leicester, lo^ Jtilii, 1585.
I now begin to fear Scotland, and that there is great
dissimulation by Arc.^ there and his mistress. You had
need look well to the servants of Ca. and his La.,^ for
they have intelligence in your house ; and beware one
look to such as desire to speak with the young Pierrepont
there. I know that letters have passed that way, and I
know also that Ha. [/r<?^^<5/j/ H. Ca.] and his La. make
their abode thereabouts only to serve, &c. If good wait
be laid, you will find it.

Answer to Mr. Secretary concerning this clause.
It may seem that my last letters were partly grounded
upon this minute, but the truth is I did not receive it
until the loth of this present, which was five days after
the date of my said letters unto you. My lord writeth
that he knoweth letters have passed that way. Praying
you to do me the favour to let me knov/ his knowledge
therein, because I can hardly believe it. If it be true, it
will stead me greatly to know it ; if it be untrue, his
lordship shall know by whom he hath been abused.

^ Probably Archibald Douglas.
* Henry and Lady Grace Cavendish.
F 2

6S Sir Amias Poulet,

The accusation against the Cavendishes was mortifying to
Poulet, and it was still more mortifying that it should be sup-
posed that he had allowed Bessie Pierrepont to be a channel
of communication, especially as (if Morgan be right) he was
''far out of hking with Leicester." He naturally tries to make
the best of it, partly by showing that he had anticipated it in his
negotiations, prompted solely by his own sagacity, for the removal
of the Cavendish family and servants from close proximity to
the castle, and partly by disbelieving it, which he might well
do, as he had not long before praised Mr. Cavendish as "well
affected to her Majesty's service." It is curious that the letter
to Walsingham, from which the preceding passage sent to
Burghley was taken, is not to be found either in the letter-
book or at the Record Office.

The next letter to Lord Burghley is given by Strype,^ with
the remark, "The whole letter I reposit in the Appendix, knowing
that these State letters are valuable and tend much to let into a
true knowledge of matters transacted." It is a singular fact that
Strype, who had access to Lord Burghley's papers, should have
only this one to "reposit," out of the large number addressed to
Burghley by Poulet.

To my Lord Treasurer ^ the 26th of July, 1585.

My very good Lord, — Although I have increased in
health daily sithence the first day of my arrival here (I
thank God for it), and do now find myself able to go
strongly, and as speedily as at any time these two or
three years last past, yet, being subject to the gout, and
considering the nature of the disease, I must look for a
fresh assault in the accustomed season, at which time the
importance of this service will require the assistance of
some honest and faithful gentleman, which no doubt may
be easily found, both in the Court and in this country.

But because your resolutions at the Court are not
always speedy, and that my assistant may be found

^ Annals of tJie Reformation^ London, 1728, vol. iii., p. 300; Appendix,
p. 117.

Keeper of Mary Quee^i of Scots. 69

wanting before he can come, presuming upon your
lordship's favour towards me, I will be so bold to name
a gentleman who I know will be content to come hither
unto me, and to spend some long time here with me,
and rabating^ so many of my number as he and his
servants will amount unto, which may be in all five or
six, cannot be any way chargeable to her Majesty.

The gentleman is Mr. John Colls,^a man not unknown,
I think, to your lordship for his good discretion, and so
well known to me, as I will answer for his fidehty at my
utmost peril. And I am deceived if he be not sufficient
to take the charge of this service during my sickness,
when God shall send it, and especially if, by living here
with me, he may be trained^ therein some little time
before I shall be visited with sickness. I will stand
always answerable for the charge. My supply shall be in
house with me, ready upon every occasion ; her Majesty's
charge shall not be increased of one penny, and I shall
have the comfort of a very discreet* friend.

If your lordship shall find this motion reasonable and
likely to have passage, it may please you to further it,
and to do further^ therein as you shall think good. If
your lordship shall not allow of it, then I shall most
humbly pray you that it may rest with you in secret. It
may be that your lordship will not mislike it, but would
not be a dealer therein, whereof being advertised I will
not fail to seek it in such order and by such means as
your lordship shall direct.

It may please your lordship to give me leave to say
plainly unto you, as to my special good lord, that I fear

■^ Rabbate, to abate. Halliivell quoting Palsgrave.

^ Poulet made a similar request of Walsingham, August 27 (Vol. xvi., n. '^'^)^
then suggesting Mr. John Colls, Mr. Richard Bagot, or Sir John Zouch.
Mr. Bagot was appointed {Ibid., n. 36).

^ Trusted, Strype.

* An honest, discreet friend. Strype.

^ To proceed therein. Strype.

70 Sir Amias Poulet,

there will be some cunning in the choice of my supply,
if he come from the Court. This one thing I may affirm,
that Mr. John Colls honoureth and respecteth your lordship
before all the noblemen in this land. I fear I have pre-
sumed too far, wherein I crave your lordship's pardon.
And thus resting at your commandment, I commit your
lordship to the protection of the Almighty.
From Tutbury [the 26th of July, 1585.

Your lordship's to command,

A. POULET.]

It seems a singular request to a Secretary of State, that he
should send down a washerwoman from the Court. With this
Poulet's letter to Walsingham of July 26 ^ opens. He then says
that " the last letters from the French Ambassador to this Queen
have lifted the hearts of this people marvellously, and now they
hold themselves assured that the exercise of religion is utterly
abolished in France, and that the fire kindled there will be
extended farther." Nau's brother had written of "the good
disposition of the Scottish King towards this Queen," which
Poulet recommended Mary to be slow to believe. After saying
that the letter from Nau's brother being sealed, he had opened
and perused it, according to his general practice, he concludes by
asking that instructions may be sent to his son, Anthony Poulet,
respecting the reception of French Protestant refugees in Jersey.
The following appears in the Record Office as a separate letter.^

Ad eundein [Walsingham] eodem die [July 26, 1585].

Sir, — I had forgotten in my other letters to pray to
be advertised from you if you have received any letters
from me by the hands of one Robert Woodward, wherein
it may please you to hold me excused. I have received
even now letters from Sir John Zouch, by the which it
appeareth that he hath travelled faithfully and carefully
in seeking to discover the practices of Ralph Elweys,

1 Vol. xvi., n. 22. ^ Ibid., n. 23.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 7 1

according to your instructions in that behalf, but no good
effect hath followed as yet. And thus once again I take
my leave of you.

From Tutbury, &c.

To Sir Francis Walsingham^ 2° A7fgusii[i^S$].

Sir, — Your letters [of] the 25th and 26th of the last
came to my hand the 29th of the same, but the extracts
of foreign proceedings mentioned in the said letters I
did not receive. It is likely they were forgotten in the
closing up of the letters.

Finding this Queen's packets sent with the said letters
fast sealed, having received no countermandment from
you, I opened and perused the same after my accustomed
manner, wherein perchance I use double diligence, but I
dare not do otherwise. Referring you for the substance
of the said packet to this paper inclosed, which I send
the more willingly because mention is made of the King's
good affection to this Queen, and of a device to work
a divorce between Arran and Gray.

We have so long lulled in a most dangerous security,
that we are apt to take every light occasion to entertain
the same, or rather it has now grown to an habit in us,
so as we cannot shake it off in open show of imminent
danger. God continue His mercy and favour towards us,
and remove this bad humour from us. These letters
requiring no haste, I have forborne to use the post, and
do send the same by one of my own servants, who is
abiding at London. And thus I commit you to the
fatherly protection of the Almighty, who give us strength
of mind and body to sustain the labours of this busy time.

From Tutbury, &c.

The original of the next letter is among the State Papers,

and the copy sent by Poulet to Burghley is in the British

Museum.^

1 Vol. xvi., n. 30; I/arl. A/SS., 6993, f. 98.

72 Sir Amias Poulet,

To Sir Frajicis Walsinghain^ ^ Augusti, 1585.

Sir, — I have received your letters of the 3rd of this
present, and am heartily sorry for the loss of that good
earl and his son,^ partly for the particular interest I had
in them both, but especially in respect of our Queen
and country, who in these days of treachery and treason
against God and His anointed, cannot be deprived of the
faithful service of two such personages without singular
damage.

Whereas you write this Queen hath desired that for
the cleansing and sweetening of this house, she might
remove to some other place for some short time, it is
most certain that there is no house in these parts either
sufficient and commodious for her and her train, or assured
for the governor. The Lord Paget had only two houses
in this country ; the one at Burton,- distant three miles
from this castle, a ruinous house, the buildings scattered,
and adjoining to a very poor town, full of bad neighbours ;
the other at Beaudesert, distant twelve miles, a house
of no strength, the buildings not finished, and both those
houses naked and utterly unfurnished of all things
belonging to household, so as the furniture of this remove
must come altogether from this castle, which will be a
matter of excessive charges and trouble, and almost im-
possible to be performed, this charge being such as the
company may not be divided one day and night without
peril.

If she should be removed for some short time, it is
of necessity that it must be to some house furnished

^ Francis Russell, second Earl of Bedford, died July 28, 1585. His third
son, Francis, said by Collins to have been summoned to Parliament as Lord
Russell, was killed in Scotland in an accidental fray, July 27, 1585.

2 From this letter it would appear that Mr. Cavendish moved from his own
house, but did not take possession of Burton, and the brewer was probably
left in quiet possession. Lord Burghley's assent to the bargain which would
have displaced the brewer renders it likely that he was not privy to the details
of Walsingham's plot.

Keeper of Mary Qtteen of Scots. 73

already, of which sort I know no other than Mr. Candishe's
house, which being insufficiently furnished to receive this
company, considering the nearness of this castle, the
defects may be supplied from hence ; but to say nothing
of the weakness of the house, it is not capable of the
Scottish train alone, and yet they must lodge divided in
many pieces.

Mr. Candishe hath builded a little dining chamber,
and a chamber or two adjoining. All the residue of the
house is old and ruinous, the kitchen, and all other houses
of office, being far less than sufficient to serve both
these households. One thing I may add, that this country
is so ill affected (a thing not unknown unto you), as I think
no man of judgment would willingly take the charge of
this Queen in any house in this shire out of this castle.
No doubt this Queen was in some hope to have been
removed to Mr. Candishe his house, as I have heretofore
written unto you, which was the cause and ground of
this motion, but finding in conference with me sithence
the despatch of her last packet, that the house was not
any way fit for her use, and promising to provide
carpenters and other artificers to repair her lodgings in
such sort as should be devised by her Ministers, Nau
being present said that I could say no more, so as urging
the matter of their remove no farther, it seemed to me
that they were satisfied.

Notwithstanding, following your direction, and to the
end this Queen might know her Majesty's favour towards
her, I have given her to understand that her Highness
is well pleased that she be removed so as any fit house
might be found ; and hereupon I have told her that I
know only three vacant houses in these parts, viz.,
Mr. Candishe's house, and the Lord Paget's at Burton
and Beaudesert, and have delivered unto her my opinion
touching the said houses, which is that Mr. Candishe his
house is less than sufficient to receive her own train ; that

74 Si'y Amias Poulet,

the house at Burton standeth so near to the river as it
will not stand with her health to remove thither, that
it is so ruinous as it will not be repaired in a short time,
that it is unfurnished of all implements belonging to
household, and is also too little to receive this great
company ; that the house at Beaudesert is not yet
finished, and so unfurnished as it hath not so much as
one stool or bedstead in it, and that, considering the far
distance from hence, there is no possibility to remove all
the stuff of this house thither in convenient time. I have
added to these foresaid reasons that the weather here
hath been such of long time as there is little sign of
summer, and that when all diligence shall be used, before
this remove shall be performed, and that beer, wine,
wood, coal, and such necessaries shall be provided, winter
will be in his full strength. I said that Mr. Candishe's
house was already well known to her principal Ministers,
who could judge if .1 said truly or no, and the house at
Burton might be seen by any of her sei-vants when she
would.

She replied very little, only that the Earl of Shrews-
bury removed his stuff from one house to another, and
that if the house were too little, some part of her
company might be lodged in the town. I answered that
the Earl perchance removed some part of his best stuff,
but was not troubled with the carriage of his kitchen stuff,
bedsteads, table-boards, and such like, and that it were
very inconvenient that her train should be lodged far from
her. I prayed her to consider of it, which she said she
would do, so as I think I shall hear little of this matter.
If any new motion shall be made herein by the French
Ambassador, it may please you to take no knowledge of
that which hath passed between this Queen and me until
I shall receive her resolution.

I have received the three packets for this Queen and
have perused them with her good liking, because, having

Keeper of Mary Quee7i of Scots. 75

passed over the first packet, I send it immediately unto
her, and so one after another until all be delivered, which
pleaseth her greatly. The French Ambassador, in his
letters to this Queen, changeth not his style touching
Archibald Douglas, saving that he adviseth her, con-
sidering his departure, to appoint the said Archibald to.
follow her causes about that Court. All other things
mentioned in the said packets, and seeming worthy to
be observed, are contained in this paper inclosed. It
may be, and it is very likely, that I advertise many things
that are needless, wherein I crave pardon, because I do
not know what you know already ; but of this I am sure,
that I have omitted nothing that may concern our Queen
or country, and have used such expedition therein, as I
am deceived if this Queen think anything less than that
I have taken any extracts of her letters.

It is likely that her Majesty will confer with my Lord
Treasurer touching this remove, and therefore I have
thought good to advertise his lordship of my proceedings
herein with this Queen, and of my simple opinion of the
vacant houses in these parts ; and thus I commit you to
the Almighty, who prosper all your actions to His glory.

From Tutbury, &c.

Postscript ifi the original, not in the letter-book. It were
better, in my simple opinion, that the refusal of this
remove proceeded from this Queen than that she were
dissuaded from above.

The copy of this former letter to Mr. Secretary was
written the said day, ^° Augtcsti, i^S^, tomy Lord Treasurer,
with this exordium before it}

My very good Lord, — I have grown so thrifty that, to
save a little paper, I do not stick, instead of a just letter,
to trouble your lordship with a copy of my letters to

1 Harl. AfSS., 6993, f. 98.

76 Sir Amias Poulet,

Mr. Secretary as followeth, &c. [In marg. Lege autem
quae sequuntur]. And thus I leave to trouble your
lordship any farther, resting always at your command-
ment, and so I do commit your good lordship to the
mercy of the Highest.
From Tutbury, &c.

It is remarkable that Mary's proposal in the next letter that
she should be removed to the house of Sir Thomas Gerard, is
not accompanied by any remark on Poulet's part that Sir Thomas
was one of her warmest friends. It was not until August of the
following year, 1586, that Sir Thomas Gerard was sent to the
Tower, but we are told by his son. Father John Gerard, in his
autobiography, 1 that he had been previously imprisoned on Queen
Mary's account. " When a child of five years of age," he says,
" I was forced, together with my brother, who was also a child,
to dwell among heretics under another roof, for that my father,
with two other gentlemen, had been cast into the Tower of
London, for having conspired to restore the Scottish Queen to
liberty and to her kingdom. She was at that tim.e confined in
the county of Derby at two miles distance from us. Three years
afterwards my father, having obtained his release by the payment
of a large sum, brought us home, free however from any taint of
heresy, as he had maintained a Catholic tutor over us." The
price of this liberation is said to have been the transfer of the
lordship of Gerards Bromley to his kinsman. Sir Gilbert Gerard,
the Master of the Rolls, whose eldest son took his title from it
when raised to the peerage. Father Gerard was wrong in
thinking that Tutbury was in Derbyshire. It was close to the
borders of that county, but in Staffordshire. Etwall in Derby-
shire came to Sir Thomas Gerard by his marriage with Elizabeth,
the eldest of the daughters and coheirs of Sir John Port, who
died in 1557.- As Father Gerard was born in 1564, he is
necessarily speaking of Mary's first imprisonment at Tutbury.
She arrived there from Bolton under the charge of Lord
Shrewsbury and Sir Francis Knollys, in February, 1569.^ She

^ Condition of Catholics under James I. ^ p. x. " Ibid.^ p. ccliii.

' Vol. iii., n. 40.

Keeper of Mary QtLeeii of Scots. jj

was not there three months on that occasion, as she was
transferred to Wingfield towards the end of April. "^ Mary says
of Tutbury,^ " Comme ce Heu a este ma premiere prison et
restrinction en ce royaulme, et ou, du commencement, j'ay
regeu de tres grands rigeurs, rudesses, et indignitez, aussi I'ay-je
tousjours depuis tenue malheureuse et infortunee, comme des
rhyver passe, avant qu'y venir, je feis remonstrer a ladicte Royne
d'Angleterre." Her description of the place in the same letter
shows that it must have been far from a pleasant residence for
a sick person.

To Sir Francis Walsinghaut, \Wi of August, 1585.^
Sir, — This Queen being grieved in one of her legs,
and having kept her bed a day or two, prayed me to
come unto her the 8th of this present, and then asked
me what I thought of her remove. I told her that I had
already delivered unto her my opinion touching the houses
which I knew in these parts. '' But," said she, " it is likely
that the Queen hath houses in Nottingham and Coventry."
I answered that I was a stranger in this country, so as I
could say nothing therein. " I remember," quoth she,
" as I came hitherwards from Derby, I saw a fair house
not far from hence which was said to belong to a knight
called Gerard, and as I hear he lieth not in it." I said
I thought this house was too little for her use. She prayed
me to cause it to be seen, which I promised to do.

On Tuesday, the lOth of this present, at eleven of the
clock in the night I received your letters of the 8th of
the same, with her Majesty's letters inclosed, addressed
to this Queen, and because it was not convenient to pray
access unto her in the morning, and being not ignorant
that these letters would be very welcome unto her, I
delivered them unto Nau the next morning.

The two or three days next following, she kept her
bed by reason of the infirmity before-mentioned, and the

^ Vol. iii., n, 72. - Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 218.

3 Harl. MSS., 6993, f. 104.

78 Sir Amias Poulet,

15 th of this present, being risen out of her bed, but not
able to go, and therefore lying upon a pallet, she sent
for me, and at my repair unto her told me that being at
the point to take physic, at the very instant of the receipt
of her Majesty's letters, she was so much comforted by
the same, that she refused her physic and found herself
more refreshed by this kindness from the Queen, her good
sister, than she should have been by all the ministry of
all the physic in the world. ^

She prayed me to excuse her that she had not sent
sooner for me, which she said proceeded partly of her
infirmity, but especially that she was very willing to write
unto her Majesty as soon as she could, and by that
occasion to do the like to the French King and some
others, wherein she had been busy a day or two. She
said that she had always carried a firm and constant
opinion of her Majesty's friendly and natural disposition
towards her, that for her part she could not cease to-
honour and respect her as Queen of England, and to-
love her entirely as her elder sister and nearest ally, that
this realm is more dear unto her than all other countries
whatsoever.- And yet she can find no comfort in it,
because if it be distressed, and' feel or fear any calamity,
she is also grieved as one that wisheth unto it all happy
prosperity. If it flourish in security then she feareth the
worse and is the less regarded that she had given herself
wholly to her Majesty in all humbleness, in all faithfulness,
in all sincerity, in all integrity (I use her own words), and
had removed all foreign helps to please her Highness, and
thereby to give her to know that she depended wholly of

^ Mary had written the day before to M. de Mauvissiere to the same effect..
Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 212.

^ '* Et quoy qu'il advienne, je veulx vivre et mourir bonne Angloise, ayant
plus d'esgard au bien de la dite Royne, ma bonne soeur, et au public du pays
et de la nation, que non aux particulieres factions de mes dits ennemys, ou aux
maulx que j'ay receuz d'eulx en mon particulier. " Mary to Mauvissiere,
August 17, 1585. Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 212.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 79

her. That her words had no credit, she was not believed,
and her proffers refused when they might have done good.
That she hath proffered her heart and body to her Majesty:
her body is taken and great care taken for the safe keeping
of it, but her heart is ' refused. That when she sayeth if
she were employed she might do good, and when she
shall be required hereafter it will be too late, then she is
said to boast. When she offereth herself and service with
all humbleness, then she is said to flatter. That she felt
the smart of every accident that happened to the danger
of her Majesty's person or estate, although she were
guiltless in heart and tongue. That if she had desired
great liberty, her Majesty might instantly have been
jealous of her, but she desired only reasonable liberty
for her health. That if the treaty had proceeded between
her Majesty and her, she knoweth France had now been
quiet. That considering the indisposition of her body,
she hath no hope of long life, and much less of a pleasant
life, having lost the use of her limbs, and therefore is far
from the humour of ambition, desiring only* to be well
accepted where she shall deserve well, and by that mean
during her short days to carry a contented and satisfied
mind. That it was not her calling to win fame by vic-
tories, but would think herself happy if, by her mediation,
peace might be entertained in all countries generally, but
especially in this realm. That if she had spoken with
the King of Navarre his Ambassador at his being here
this last winter, she thinketh there had been now good
amity between his master and the house of Guise, and
did not doubt to have done some good if she had been
made acquainted with his last being here. That her son
is a stranger unto her ; but he should be possessed with
ambition, he play of both hands and do bad office \sic\.
That her son did reproach her in his letters that she was
shut up in a desert, so as he could not send to her or
hear from her, which was the cause that he did help

8o Sir Amias Poulet,

himself by other means the best he could, and was forced
so to do. Finally, that although she had been esteemed
as nobody, and have determined if her help were hereafter
required to be indeed as nobody, and so to answer, yet,
for the love that she beareth to her Majesty and this
realm, she will not refuse to employ her best means if it
shall please her Highness to use her service, which she
will do, not so much for her own particular as for her
Majesty's surety and benefit of this realm.

I omit her protestations of her sincere and upright
dealing with her Majesty, and her solemn oaths that she
hath not of long time given or received any intelligence to
or from any of her friends, because they are no new
things unto you. It seemed she could not satisfy herself
with speaking, and therefore I said the less, advising
her to comfort herself with her Majesty's favour, whereof
(no doubt) some good effect would ensue, if herself or her
friends did not give cause to the contrary. I know this
kind of matter is not new unto you, and perchance I
should have forborne in some other time to have reported
the same, but, considering the scope of her Majesty's
letters unto this Queen, I thought agreeable with my duty
to acquaint you with her speeches, and so do refer them to
your better consideration.

This Queen having thus uttered her griefs and
complaints with many words, asked me if I had sought
to inform myself of the houses which she mentioned unto
me. I answered that the houses at Nottingham and
Coventry (if her Majesty had any there) were so far
distant from hence as I had no mean in this short time
to learn the true state of them, and, touching Sir Thomas
Gerard's house, I told her that I had caused it to be
viewed, and did find that the house is newly builded,
and standeth as yet in two parts, and that the hall and
kitchen are yet wanting, which should tie those two parts
together, besides many other imperfections. Being satisfied

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 8 1

touching this house, she said indeed that she had made
mention of the houses at Nottingham and Coventry unto
me, not that she was curious to inform herself of her
Majesty's houses, but that, upon question of her remove
before her coming hither, she did remember that these
two houses were named, and, as she was not affected to
any house, so it stood her upon for the preservation of
her health to be removed from hence, her body being
reduced to that weakness as, although the open air
abroad did not offend her, yet she could not endure the
least air in the world in her chamber, whereunto she
was much subject where she is now lodged, by reason of
the thinness of the walls. I told her that, besides that
might be done by carpenters and other artificers, she was
now provided of double hangings for her chamber, which
I thought might suffice to defend the cold air. She
insisted to urge the remove with great earnestness,
alleging that this late accident of grief so shortly after
her diet did give her to understand that she was greatly
subject to the rheum upon any cold, which caused a dis-
tillation into her legs, and now bereaved her of the use
of them, so as it behoved her to have care of her health.

She hath been heretofore (as I hear) free from all
grief during the summer season, but it seemeth that this
humour hath possessed her, and that there is little hope
that she shall recover her limbs hereafter. I told her
that, besides the providing and furnishing of a house,
and many things of necessary importance not easy to be
provided, it was not possible in this little time which
remained of summer to make a sufficient provision of
wood and coal to serve for the whole winter, the
expense whereof was so great in this great household,
as, having the whole summer season before me, there
was yet wanting the third part of winter's proportion.

All this and much more could not suffice to satisfy
her, concluding that she would be a suitor to her Majesty
G

82 Sir Amias Poulety

therein by her letters, and that she would desire to be
removed only for three weeks, in which time her lodging
here might be repaired and some new lodgings builded,
to be joined to these which she hath already. A remove
for this little space might be made to Mr. Candishe's
house with little trouble and as little charge, if she might
be kept there safely, a matter of great peril in my
simple opinion, and therefore I durst not make any
mention thereof to this Queen. \In marg. She asketh
no more than to have her own lodgings plastered over-
head, which cannot be done without a remove.]

This Queen hath here, in the number of her retinue,
one Audrey, an embroiderer, with his wife and five
children, being willing to discharge the said Audrey with
his wife and four children, and hath prayed me to write
for their passport, which I refer to your better con-
sideration. Only I have thought good to put you in
remembrance that this Audrey's wife, being a woman of
judgment and understanding, which I know to be true, as
well by this Queen's own report as otherways, may prove
a dangerous messenger in this dangerous [time], although
you were assured that she carried with you [her] no letters
at all.

I was informed of Peter Bayte long before the receipt
of your letters by Mr. Francis Hastings, and have taken
order to see his doings observed. I cannot learn that
Sir Randolfe Brewerton is in these parts. I have thought
good to acquaint my Lord Treasurer, by my letters sent
herewith, with that which hath passed between this Queen
and me touching this remove.

Seeing that this Queen's letters come so slowly from
her, I have thought good to send these unto you, to the
end you may be the better prepared to answer hers when
they come. And thus I commit you to the mercy of the
Highest.

From Tutbury, &c.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 8

o

To my Lord Treasurer^ i8^ Augusti, 1585.^
My very good Lord, — This Queen insisting to be
removed with all earnestness, and not doubting but that
your lordship's advice will be used therein, I am bold to
trouble you with all that hath passed in that behalf
between her and me, which shall appear in this copy
inclosed of my letters sent herewith to Mr. Secretary,
the same containing some other matter not worthy of
your lordship, but my said letters might not be dis-
membered without some maim.

Her Majesty will be a great loser this year in the
meadow grounds which were reserved for the use of this
house by reason of the great floods, which have done
great hurt in these parts ; but I trust this loss shall be
recompensed with usury in the rents which I have
increased upon the tithes, and some other things which
I have set. I doubt not to yield your lordship a very
good reckoning of the parks and all other things which
I have reserved, wherein I have been as careful as if the
matter had concerned myself And resting at your
lordship's commandment, &c.

Postscript in the original. It may please your lordship
to have this house in remembrance for a supply of money
for our household affairs.

On the next day Mary's letters were ready. Poulet forwarded
them to Walsingham with the following letter,- inclosing a copy
of the letter to M. de Mauvissiere, which he describes as "carrying
a harder style " than the other. The inclosure is preserved in the
Record Office.^ Prince Labanoff prints it,^ as well as the letter
which is "short and very plausible."^ Poulet does not remark
that the first is dated August 12, before the receipt of Elizabeth's
letter, and the other August 17, after she had received it.
"Depuis mes encloses j'ay receu des lettres de la Royne

^ Harl. MSS., 6993, f. 102. 2 Vol. xvi., n. 32.

^ Ibid., n. 32 I, * Tom. vi,, p. 195. ^ Ibid., p. 21 1.

G 2

84 "^VV Amias Poulet,

d'Angleterre, madame ma bonne soeur, plaines de tant de cour-
toisies et demonstration de bonne volonte, qu'il fault que je
vous dye n'avoir, il y a quatre moys, ressenty plus de consolation
en tous mes maulx, tant d' esprit que du corps, que j'ay faict par
ceste souvenance qu'il m'apparoist qu'elle ha de moy et de mon
estat par dega."^ Poulet's phrase would convey the impression
that Mary was writing two letters to the same person at the same
time in different sense. The fact is, that one was a postscript to
the other.

Mary's rejoicings over a letter from EHzabeth, "overflowing
with courtesy and demonstrations of good will," rouse both pity
and indignation in view of the scheme for her destruction arranged
between Walsingham and his mistress. This was the last letter
Mary was to receive from the Queen of England, until she was
bidden by her to plead for her life before the Commissioners at
rotheringay.2 Of Elizabeth's " enchantments " Mr. Froude has
not a word to say.

To Sir Francis Walsinghayn, \cf Augustiy 1585.

Sir, — I send you herewith this Queen's letters to her
Majesty, inclosed in her packets to the French Ambas-
sador, with other letters to the French King, Queen
Mother, French Queen, Duke of Guise, Mauvissiere, and
Chasteauneuf,^ and divers other letters from Nau and
others of the Scottish train to their friends in London
and in France, all which letters I have perused and have
seen them sealed and made up in this packet, the same
containing no other matter worthy of advertisement than
may appear unto you in this paper inclosed.

This Queen's letters to the French contain no other
matter than ordinary compliments, saving that in her
letters to the Duke of Guise, she prayeth Kis friendly
assistance towards Mauvissiere in his suit to the French

^ A further extract has been previously given in a note.
^ Vol. XX., n. 6.

^ These letters may be seen in Labanofif, torn, vi., pp. 204, 206, 207, 209,
but the letter to Elizabeth of this date has not been preserved.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 85

King for the bailiwick of Vitrye, which he hath given
him. She urgeth her remove from hence to the French
Ambassador with great earnestness, although both she
and Nau do know it to be impossible at this time.

The order which I take in perusing of these letters
is this. Nau bringeth all the letters unto me unsealed,
and after the reading of one or two of them, I tell him
that I am not accustomed to read many French letters,
and therefore do pray him to give me some time to peruse
them, and by this means I read them with leisure, and
write out anything which I think worthy.

This Queen writeth two several letters to the French
Ambassador, whereof the one is short and very plausible,
containing many good words of her devotion towards
her Majesty, which perchance shall be showed to you
and such others. The other letter carrieth a harder style.

And thus I leave to trouble you, and so do commit
you to the mercy of the Highest.

From, &c.

Postscript in the origiiial. From this Queen to Cherelles
with her own hand.

Je vous mercie des confitures seiches [I suspect some
other meaning. Poulefs note in the margin.'] que m'envoy-
asses le quaresme passe, les ayant trouvez fort belles.
Faites que celles dont la memoire vous ha este dernie-
rement addressee, soyent aussi bien choysies.

Mary had great confidence in Cherelles, so that Poulet says,^
"I can assure you that Fontenay and Cherelles are expected
here with great devotion." But certainly there was no need for
Poulet to make himself anxious respecting anything that passed
between Mary and the French Ambassador. Cherelles, who was
secretary of the French Embassy to M. de Mauvissiere and
M. de Chateauneuf successively, sent copies of Mary's letters
to Walsingham. Prince Labanoff^ has printed these letters from
^ Vol. xvi,, n. 38. ^ Tom. v., pp. 361, 430.

S6 Sir Amias Poulet,

the copies in Cherelles' hand, now in Lord Salisbury's collection
at Hatfield House, in the Public Record Office, and the British
Museum. One of the latter ^ has the following disgraceful note
to Walsingham, added to the letter he was betraying, written by
Cherelles. "Je vous supplie bien humblement, monsieur, de
tenir tout cy le plus secret qu'il sera possible, affin que monsieur
I'ambassadeur ne s'en apergoive d'aucune sorte, comme je sgay
que vous sgaurez tres bien faire : car je ne voudrois pour tout
Tor du monde estre decouvert pour la honte que je sgay que je
recevrois, non seuUement la honte, mais aussi la vye y perdrois ;
de laquelle je ne me soucie point tant que de la dite honte que
je pourrois recevoir, car toujours faut-il mourir." Here is the
confession of one of those wretches whose sense of shame is
entirely confined to being found out. For this singularly base
piece of treachery Mr. Froude has no word of blame. All he
has to say is, " Cherelles was bought to watch his master," and,
again, of the whole plot against the Queen of Scots, "Walsingham
had contrived an ingenious scheme to gain political information. "^
It was a base system that induced a man for money to betray
the trust reposed in him, and no sympathy for the persons that
were involved in it should induce us to excuse its baseness.
Mary Stuart had no right to complain, for she was not free from
its guilt. For instance, she speaks of Phelippes as one whom
Morgan "dealt withal long ago to have served me, about
Secretary Walsingham." There is, however, this difference
between Mary and Walsingham, that the one was acting in
self-defence, while the other was contriving the destruction of a
helpless prisoner.

Mr. Froude bases his argument in defence of Walsingham's
plot on the ground that, extensive and thorough-going as was
Walsingham's system ofe spionage and bribery, yet, informa-
tion procured by such means being anything but trustworthy,
that acute-minded statesman at length "felt it imperatively
necessary to obtain a clue to the Catholic secrets on which he
knew he could depend."^ But, in truth, the Secretary and his
mistress, before they laid their snare for the Queen of Scots, had

1 Harl.MSS., 1582, f. 311.
^ History^ vol. xii., pp. 102, 147. ^ jn^^^ p, 106.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 87

furnished themselves with this clue by means of intercepted
correspondence. Not only had Cherelles been bought over to
rob his master's desk, and to forward Mary's secret corres-
pondence regularly to Walsingham, but a letter^ in Walsingham's
hand addressed to Phelippes, dated November 30, 1585, while
Mary was still at Tutbury, sufficiently demonstrates that the

' confidential correspondence both of Philip of Spain and of
Mendoza by some secret treachery passed into Elizabeth's hands,

. and was deciphered by Phelippes.

I send you here inclosed another letter, written from
the King of Spain unto some nobleman within this realm,
■which was delivered unto me by her Majesty, together
with the other letter of Don Bernardino's [Mendoza]
remaining in your hands, which, if it may be deciphered,
will, I hope, lay open the treachery that reigneth here
amongst us. Her Majesty hath promised to double your
pension, and to be otherwise good unto you. And so I
commit you to God.

At the Court, the 30th of November, 1585.

Your loving friend,

Fra. Walsingham.

Mary tells the French Ambassador ^ that her having fallen
sick again, ''m'estant survenu principalement par les vents couliz,
moisteur et froydeur, ou ma chambre est subjecte, ainsi que mon
medecin a temoisgne au sieur Paulet qui est icy." And, again, -^
" Je suis icy si mal-accommodee en ces deulx me'chantes petites
chambres, que je ne puis rester I'hyver sans tres grand hazard de
ma vye." Poulet's mention of the great floods in August bears
out Mary's complaint of the unhealthiness of Tutbury.

The following is Poulet's letter sent at the same time to Lord
Burghley, and with it the first letter-book ends.

^ Cotton. AfSS., Calig., C. ix., f. 568.
2 LabanofF, torn, vi., p. 198. ^ /did., p. 201.

88 Sir Amias Poulet,

To 7ny Lord Treasurer, 19^ Augusti, 1585.

My very good Lord, — After the signing and sealing
of this Queen's letters, sent herewith to her Majesty, Nau
had long speech with me touching the desired remove,
and after many arguments alleged by me of the impossi-
bility thereof at this season of the year, his last words
were that if there were any mean of remove he wished
and desired it greatly, but if the same were accompanied
with so great difficulty, then the sooner it were known
the better it were for the repairing of this Queen's lodgings
in this castle.

I have gone so far with this Queen and with Nau,.
that I can assure your lordship they do not look to be
removed at this time, although this Queen desireth it
earnestly by her letters to her Majesty and to the French
Ambassador. I have told this Queen, and have said no
less to Nau, that the French Ambassador is worthy to
bear the blame of this matter, because having the same
in charge at the departure from Mr. Somer, he never
returned an answer until within these eight or ten days,
whereby it seemeth that he did either forget or neglect
to move it, and that now it was urged with great instance
when there was no possibility to perform it, winter at
hand, the ways for carriages as foul already as in winter,
her Majesty's houses being seldom used, likely to require
some good time to repair them, wood and coal not ta
be had in sufficient quantity for any money, besides many
other provisions not easy to be recovered. I thought
agreeable with my duty to advertise your lordship of the
premises, referring the same to your better judgment ;
and so do commit your good lordship to the mercy of
the Almighty, &c.

The next letter-book, or rather the portion of it that remains,
was entirely written at Chartley. It is written by another clerk,
and he has not added the name of the place to each letter, as

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 89

the clerk employed at Tutbury did. The book begins with the
following fragment of a letter addressed to Lord Burghley.

. . . Secretary in any of these household causes or
money matters until I shall be thereunto directed by your
lordship, and yet I cannot tell if you would not think it
some ease unto you that these money motions, which are
not always pleasing, were sometimes made by some other
than yourself, wherein I refer myself to your lordship's
good pleasure. And so, &c.

In the interval between the date when one letter-book ends
and the other begins many letters passed which remain among
the State Papers. On these we draw sufiEiciently to link the two
portions of our story together.

Poulet to Walsingham?-
I asked this Queen what she thought of her remove.
" A goodly remove," saith she, " to Mr. Candishe's house."
" Madam," quoth I, " the air is good, and you shall be
well lodged for yourself, and the time of the year will
not permit a further remove." She said it was not sufficient
for her and me. I answered that a little room should
serve my turn, and that she and her company should
be provided. "As though," saith she, "by my remove
thither, my lodgings here would be made fit for me." I
said there should be as much done as herself would
appoint. " No," saith she, " my lodgings will not be made
fit without new buildings." I told her that her mind
being known, all should be done that was possible. "It
is too late," saith she, "for this year." Then I asked
her if any other rooms in this house, besides those which
she had already, would serve her turn, either in the state
they were in, or by translating of them. She said she
knew none, and that she was not unacquainted with my

^ Vol. xvi., n. 38.

90 Sir Amias Poulet^

two lodgings, wherein she had been lodged before this
time, and knew them to be very cold. I am deceived if
she did speak herein as she thought, although indeed the
lodgings are extremely cold, being leaded over head and
unplastered, and the most distant from the ground nine-
teen foot, but she doubted that for some respects these
lodgings would not be granted unto her, in which behalf I
have thought good for my better discharge to deliver unto
you the true state of the said lodgings, referring the same
to your better consideration ; and, indeed, I may be
lodged in the other end of the house, although not so
fitly for the service of this castle, neither so commo-
diously for myself, yet well enough, I trust, to serve all
turns.

The two chambers wherein I am lodged have their
windows open upon the dykes, and are distant in height
from the ground twenty-four foot All such of this
castle as will walk into the little park (the only place
of recreation for this household), being forced to pass
close by these windows, which give free liberty as well
of conference, as of other conveyances, and, as I have
been informed by gentlemen of good credit in these parts,
have served to that purpose in time past. These windows
overlook the town, and a good part of the country
adjoining, and have their full prospect into the way
which leadeth from the town to the castle, by means
whereof it may be easy for the Scottish people to have
intelligence with those abroad at their pleasure.

The danger of escape by these windows is also evident,
if they be not watched day and night, which will require a
greater number of soldiers, as also a new house to be
builded to that purpose. There is belonging to these
chambers a house of office, which is open at the foot,
and was found to be of such danger when this Queen
came first to this castle, that the Earl of Shrewsbury
caused a hovel to be made at the foot of the wall for

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 9 1

the succour of the soldiers appointed to watch in that
place, but the truth is that it will be very hard, for
many causes, to guard that place with a watch in any
surety.

It seemeth worthy of consideration, that having these
two chambers added to those which they have already,
they have all their rooms several to themselves, so as they
shall live by day and night all shut up from the view and
sight of the governor and his company ; whereas now
my wife, myself, and those of my chamber, pass through
the room wherein the Queen's gentlemen and gentlewomen
do dine and sup, so as the whole company saving the
Queen herself, and Pierrepont, are seen every day, a neces-
sary matter in my simple opinion, and of good surety to
the governor. This is the true state of these chambers,
which I have thought good, for my better discharge, to
deliver unto you. . . .

This Queen allegeth in one of her articles of request,
that she hath been carried for her recreation ordinarily to a
little park half a mile distant from this castle, but she
hath forgotten to advertise that out of this little park she
hath been carried three times at the least^ into another
park not far distant from the said little park, where she
hath coursed and hunted at every time of her being there,
and when she was at the farthest of this walk, she was
little less than two miles distant from this castle. I
assure you that this is true, and therefore her advertise-
ment in this point is the more strange. She hath also
taken her recreation in other places of little less measure.

Poulet told Walsingham in the same letter, that when Mary
received from him " the several answers to the several demands "
she had made to Elizabeth, " she found herself so much grieved
as she brake out forthwith into her accustomed complaints,
declaring with many tears that being fed with feigned words as
in all time past, so in these things now in question, the deeds

92 Sir Afnias Poulet,

did witness that the words were feigned, and that she found by
long experience that to be true which the Countess of Shrews-
bury always said unto her, which was that, do what she would,
she should never be trusted, concluding that she would never
accept of words again as long as she lived, and that she would
see deeds hereafter before she would enlarge herself in word or
deed.

" The cause of this great mislike groweth altogether upon
the refusing of the Countess of Athol to attend upon her, that
Fontenay his passport is not to be sent herewith, for whom she
had written expressly by name, and therefore thinketh that the
answer to that article doth import a denial of his coming unto
her, and lastly, the excusing of Cherelles repair unto her at this
time, but she is especially troubled with these two latter, touching
Fontenay and Cherelles."

Poulet's explanation to her of the refusal was that " he wished
her to have regard to times and seasons with wisdom and
temperance, and laying apart all partiality and affection, to
consider if in the greatest heat of this great flame which is
kindled in France by her kinsmen, with a meaning, as may be
supposed, that the coals should be extended into this realm, her
Majesty ought in reason and judgment to consider that Cherelles,
coming so lately out of France, should have access unto her, or
that Fontenay should be permitted to come from thence, until
the troubles there were somewhat appeased."

Walsingham did not attempt to soften matters. His next
letter was rougher, and went further than the former, for it
ordered that she should have no direct communication with the
new French Ambassador. He was known to be friendly to the
Queen of Scots, and more willing to help her than his prede-
cessor j and this is evidently the reason why Mary was required
henceforward to send her letters for France through Walsingham.
As Mary put it, Walsingham could not have "as good intelligence''
with this Ambassador as he had with Mauvissiere.

The following are " The heads of a letter unto Sir Amyas
Poulet,"^ and Poulet's answer shows that the letter was written
and sent.

^ Vol. xvi., n. 40.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 93

That though the Queen his charge's unpassionate and
unthankful manner of deahng deserveth little care or
favour at her Majesty's hands, yet can she not whatsoever
she deserveth, but do that which is fit for herself.

That therefore, doubting that the coldness of Tutbury
Castle may increase her sickness, she thinketh meet that
she should be removed to some other place, and hearing
that Chartley, the Earl of Essex' house, is both large
and strong, in respect that it is environed with water,
she would have him to see it and certify how he liketh
of it.

To let him understand that all the packets that she
doth hereafter send into France must be directed unto
me, and not unto the new French Ambassador, for that
her Majesty's meaning is, that he shall not have anything
to do with the conveyance of her letters into France,
having also given order unto the B[ishop] of Glasgow,
that such letters as he shall send from thence shall be
delivered unto Mr. Stafford.

That there shall be shortly sent a letter from her
Majesty to Mr. Bagot, to assist him in cases of necessity.

This was accompanied, or shortly followed, by a very severe
letter! against Mary, addressed to Poulet by Elizabeth, showing
her determination to control her communications with France.
She says that she has "just cause to judge that the repair of
those persons whose access she desireth carried some other
meaning than the private use of them about her person, or the
acquainting her with her particular affairs, having just cause so
to judge when we either consider her former proceedings towards
us, or the course that is now held by her kindred in France."
She then alleges " that horrible and wicked practice and attempt
against our own person, discovered to have been practised by
Morgan, a principal and chief servant of hers, a matter that so
grieved our subjects, as we had much ado to stay them in public
Parliament to have called her in question for the same."
^ Vol. xvi., 11. 41.

94 ^^^ Amias Poulety

The first of these two letters is indorsed September 13th.
On the 2ist Walsingham wrote thus •} "Her Majesty, considering
now that the Earl of Essex' house will perhaps be misliked as
unwholesome in respect of the water, hath thought upon Sir
Walter Aston's house, a very fair house, and fit in any sort for
that Queen, which is meant shall be borrowed of him, and
Beauregard [Beaudesert], the Lord Paget's house, lent him to lie in.
Wherefore her Majesty's pleasure is, you should view the said
house with all convenient speed, for that in such indifferent things
she is very careful to yield that lady any reasonable contentment."

Poulet, on the 23rd September,^ answered Walsingham's letter
of the 13th. First he reports favourably of Chartley, "distant
from hence twelve miles, to pass by Utceter [Uttoxeter], which is
the fairest way," which he had visited in company with Mr. Richard
Bagot, " not doubting but that my wife and servants would yield
me a good account of this charge, although my occasions should
require my absence for a longer time." "The water which
environeth this house is of such depth as may stand in stead of
a strong wall, saving that it is narrow in some places, and there-
fore must be the better watched." " One commodity, sufficient
in itself to recompense many incommodities," he found at
Chartley, "which is, that by reason of the abundance of water
adjoining to this house, this Queen's laundresses may be lodged
and do all their business within the gates, whereof I am the
more glad, because, having done my best endeavour to procure
some faithful women out of Somersetshire, I can find none that
will be entreated to come so far."

He discusses the lodging of the soldiers and the providing
of hay, coal, and wood.

Mr. Bagot telleth me that one hundred loads of sea
coal vi^ill be had from Beaudesert, and would be more
favourable than three hundred loads of charcoal, the
charge of every load whereof at the pit would be only
I2d. to her Majesty, besides the carriage, a good part
whereof will be performed without cost (as he thinketh)
by the Lord Paget's tenants.

1 Vol. xvi., n. 42. 2 2bid.^ n. 43.

Keeper of Mary Qtieen of Scots. 95

There is but one little kitchen at Chartley, which is
so little as I marvel how it could suffice for so great a
house, having but one range to roast and boil. This
kitchen must serve for this Queen, and by Mr. Bagot's
advice it is intended that a little charge shall be bestowed
upon another little room, which then may serve her
Majesty's household for a kitchen. It may please you
to cause the Earl of Essex to be entreated not to remove
his hangings or bedding, doubting lest our hangings will
not be found fit for the chambers there, and I know we
shall stand in need of his bedding. His hangings are
only for five chambers, and as I learn he hath not above
fourteen or fifteen beds. I will take upon me that the
stuff shall take as little hurt as is possible.

Following your direction I signified to this Queen
her Majesty's pleasure touching her packets coming from
hence and to be sent hereafter into France, to be directed
unto you, and not to the new French Ambassador, and
that order was given that such letters as the Bishop of
Glasgow should send out of France should be delivered
unto her Majesty's Ambassador there.

I can hardly express unto you by writing how much
she was moved with this message, and will forbear to
utter the greater part of her angry speeches, because
you have been accustomed unto them, so as I should
trouble you with vain repetitions. She saith that the
like was in question long sithence in Mauvisslere's time,
but took not his effect until now, when you above think
that you cannot have so good intelligence with this
Ambassador as you had with Mauvlsslere. Her letters
must be showed by you, as in time past, to her enemies,
the Countess of Shrewsbury and others. She would not
be separated from her union with the King of France ;
he was her ally, and she was under his protection. His
Ambassador was specially appointed to have care of her,
and that she knew he would not like to hear that she

96 Sir Amias Poulel,

might not use his Ministers as heretofore. She doubted
not but that France, Spain, and other countries would
have care of her. She might see plainly that her destruc-
tion was sought, and that her life shall be taken from her
one of these days, and then it shall be said that she was
sickly and that she died of some sickness.

She took it between her and her conscience that she
believed it constantly, and would do her best that all
others should also believe it ; that when she was at the
lowest, her heart was greatest, and therefore now looking
for no other than all extremity, she would not fail to
urge her enemies to do the worst they could.

I told her I could see no just cause why she should
be so greatly troubled with this matter, being not for-
bidden to write into France as much and as often as she
would, and her letters, both coming and going, being
likely to find more free passage than in time past ; that
nothing was less intended hereby than to interrupt her
amity with France, but I said she should do well to
commit herself especially to her Majesty's protection, and
not to abuse herself with a vain opinion of foreign Princes,
who could do her no further good than as should please
her Majesty to permit.

I told her that this order touching her packets might
grow upon some new occasion of foreign causes or other-
wise, which being hereafter taken away, the effect would
also cease. "No," saith she, "I trust the occasion will
not be taken away, and I pray God it may increase,"
meaning the enterprise of her kinsmen in France.

I used all reasonable arguments to dissuade her from
her fond, or rather wicked, opinion of her intended
destruction, which I told her was a foul and most manifest
slander, and as therein she did wrong to many others,
so if her impression were unfeigned, she might do no
good to herself. I said this matter reached unto me,
which she denied with many words, but said it might

Keeper of Mary Qzceen of Scots. 97

be done by others without my knowledge. The truth is,
I could not satisfy her herein, and so I leave her until a
more contented mood shall give her a better mind.

I think the care of my charge greatly increased by
reason of this Queen's discontentment, because it is likely
that now she will employ her best means to renew her
practices, as well by letters as other ways. I can add
nothing to my former diligence, only I will promise to
continue therein, leaving the success to the Almighty.

The indisposition of this Queen's body, and the great
infirmity of her legs, which is so desperate as herself
doth not hope of any recovery, is no small advantage
to her keeper, who shall not need to stand in great fear
of her running away, if he can foresee that she be not
taken from him by force.

And thus I leave to trouble you, beseeching God to
bless your counsels and to give them a happy issue.

Tutbury, the 23rd of September, 1585.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

I had some feeling of my gout at the very instant
of my going to Chartley, so as I could not conveniently
have repaired thither without the help of my coach, and
therefore it may please you to procure that Mr. Bagot's
letter of assistance may be sent by the next.

It is not easy to avoid some little satisfaction when Poulet's
twinges of gout find their way into his letters, after reading
the way in which he has just spoken of the sickness and
lameness of his prisoner. The following is a sort of postscript
to his former letter.

Sir, — I had almost forgotten to signify unto you that
this Queen is so desirous to be removed, as she could
not be satisfied until she had spoken with me after my
II

98 Sir Amias Potdet,

return from Chartley and, therefore, being lame In one
of her legs, prayed me to come to her chamber this last
evening, where I told her my opinion touching the house,,
wherewith she is greatly quieted. And, indeed, she shall
be as well lodged as herself could desire, having a veiy
fair great chamber, which may serve her to walk instead
of a gallery, a very fair chamber for herself, a large
cabinet, sufficient room for all her gentlewomen, with a
brushing-room, all within her own chamber door, which
is good for her, and no less good for me.

And thus I commit you once again to the tuition of
the Almighty.

From Tutbury, the 23rd of September, 1585.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

Walsingham, on the 26th September, wrote ^ to Poulet that
the Earl of Essex begged that his wood might not " be felled for
the household use of that Queen." "Besides, his lordship is also
very loth to let the said Queen have the use of his house, who, as
he saith, may very conveniently be lodged at the house of one
Gitford of that country, a recusant, which you shall do well to
cause to be viewed for that purpose, but specially that she should
have the use of his house, doubting lest in respect of her mislike
both of his father and of himself, those of her train should abuse,
or rather spoil it."

Poulet's next two letters treat of the two houses he has been
directed to visit; that of September 27th- describes Sir Walter
Aston's house at Tixall, and that of October 3rd,'' Mr. Gilford's.
An extract from each will be interesting.

While acknowledging the fitness of Tixall for the purpose,
Poulet supports Sir Walter Aston's entreaty that Mary may not
be taken there, as "it will not stand with her Majesty's service
to overthrow such a household as Sir Walter's is in this infected
shire, as the world goeth at this present." " Sir Walter Aston
saith that he hath upon the point of a hundred persons uprising:
^ Vol. xvi., n. 45. " IHd.^ n. 46. ^ Ibid., n. 48.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 99

and downlying in his house. He is sufficiently provided of com,
hay, grass, about his house, and of all other things necessary
for so great a family. He hath three score milch kyne, three
ploughs of oxen, and one of horses, whose labour must provide
him of corn for the next year." This Sir Walter Aston, whom
Poulet praises greatly for his being "well affected in religion,"
is the father of the first Lord Aston of Forfar, who became a
Catholic when Ambassador in Spain in the time of James I.^

On the 3rd of October, Poulet reports ^ respecting Mr.
Gifford's house, and the description gives us a good idea of the
wealth and social position of the family. We should not have
expected to find a country gentleman's house capable of lodging,
however straitly, "both these famiHes," and "furnished with
many fair lodgings," fit for a captive Queen.

Immediately upon the receipt of your letters of the
26th of the last, I took order for the stay of felling of
wood at Chartley, and being required by your said letters
to cause a view to be taken of Mr. Gifford's house, I
prayed Mr. Darrell to. make his immediate repair thither,
by whom I understand that the house is well seated, and
is furnished with many fair lodgings, so as this Queen
may be very well placed, with great chamber, gallery,
cabinet, and lodgings for her gentlewomen, as likewise
the governor, and her gentlemen, may be lodged in con-
venient sort. A fair orchard and garden walled about,
great store of wood, Cankv/ood not far off for charcoal,
and sea coal may be had with little charge. Two or three
parks at hand, good pasture adjoining to the house, besides
the dove house and other like commodities.

The discommodities are these. The house very strait
to lodge both these families. The brewhouse and brewing
vessels so little as will brew but one tun at a time, which is
much less than sufficient, and no common brewhouse in
any town adjoining, or in any other place of this shire that

^ Troubles of our Catholic Forefathers^ first series, p. 369.
2 Vol. xvi., n. 48.
H 2

loo Sir Amias Poulet,

I can hear of. Stable room less than enough for twenty
geldings, which may be enlarged to the number of eight or
ten by means of a stall, and to a far greater number by
the help of the barns, whereof there are three or four, if
they were not full of corn ; hay in the house twenty
loads or thereabouts, a small store for so many horses as
must follow this family, and little hay to be had in those
parts for money, which may be holpen by the plenty of
good straw, which by likelihood may be had out of these
barns, and as the year hath fallen out, good straw is better
than the best hay in all the parts of the shire.

I had almost forgotten to advertise you that the house
is very wxll furnished, which may by no means be spared
if this household shall remove thither, this castle being
distant from thence twenty miles, so as it were a matter of
extreme trouble and charge to remove all things from
hence, when by reason of the late foul w^eather the ways
be already as deep and foul as is possible.

I pray you consider effectually of the brewhouse,
because it is a matter which importeth greatly, and it
passeth my understanding to find a remedy for it.

To this letter Walsingham answered on the loth of October.

VValsinghain to Poiilet?-

Sir, — I have acquainted her Majesty with the contents
of your letters, who doth very well like of the answer that
you have made unto Nau in the matter of the conveyance
of his mistress' letters, for that she meaneth that the course
that is now set down for that purpose shall henceforth
stand and be continued still.

A daughter of one Mowbray, a lord of Scotland, is a

suitor here for a passport to repair to that Queen's service,

whereunto her Majesty is content to yield, seeing her here,

although she had no foreknowledge of her coming. But

^ Vol. xvi., 11. 54.

-Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. loi

for the better prevention of any practice or conveyance
of letters, her Majesty's pleasure is you should so handle
the matter that any such of the said Queen's women as
shall have leave to depart upon her coming, may be
removed to some other place out of the house before she
come thither, to the end that there may no answer be
committed unto her of any letters or messages that this
new gentlewoman] perhaps may bring, of the time of
whose repair thither you shall receive knowledge afore-
hand for that purpose.

I am glad that you find Mr. Gifford's house so fit for
the well-lodging of that Queen, the rather for that my
Lord of Essex seemeth still to be most unwilling to let
her have the use of his. Her Majesty would have you
also to certify the strength of it, and what gent[lemen]
well affected do dwell near hand whose service may be
used upon any sudden occasion that may happen.

Touching the smallness of the brewhouse, I have con-
ferred with my Lord Treasurer therein, but we can devise
no means how the same may be helped than by causing
as much beer to be brewed there aforehand as the shortness
of the time will permit, which may be reserved, and that
little quantity also that shall hereafter be further brewed
there from time to time for the said Queen's own drinking,
yours and such others as you shall think convenient, and
order given for other drink to be brewed for the greater
number in some of the market-towns or other meet places
that are nearest hand, wherein if you find so great difficulty
that you cannot conveniently so do, there must then be
order taken for the building up of another brewhouse in
some void place about the house. An estimate of the
charges whereof you shall do well to send hither with
some speed in case you find there is no other remedy
but to erect a new brewhouse.

And touching the straitness of lodging for the train,
you must help that as well as the commodity of the place

I02 Sir Amias Poulet,

will permit by making some partitions in the barns and
other outhouses that may serve for chambers for the mean
sort. Upon the receipt of your answer to all with particu-
larities, if it be found meet to have your charge bestowed
in the said house, there shall be order given presently
unto Mr. Gifford to remove his corn out of his barns.

Mauvissiere at his departure left with me an hundred
four score and ten pounds for that Queen, which, if the
Receiver of the Duchy in those parts will deliver unto you
there, I will presently take order it shall be paid to his
use here.

Here inclosed I send you the copy that I promised
you of that Queen's letter to the Ambassador, containing
many passionate complaints specially touching the badness
as she pretendeth of her lodging at Tutbury, which after
you have perused I pray you to return unto me again,
together with your opinion what is fit to be answered to
every point of her said complaints, &c.

Poulet to Walsinghatn}

Sir, — By your former letters you required me to view
Chartley and Tixall, the houses of the Earl of Essex
and Sir Walter Aston, which I did accordingly. By a
later letter you wrote that I should cause a view to be
taken of Mr. Gifford's house, wherein I supposed you had
given me the larger commission because you held the
matter as desperate, or at the least unlikely that a
gentleman's house might be sufficient to receive this
great household. Hereupon I sent Mr. Darrell thither,
whose report touching the house and state of all things
appertaining, as far as he could see or gather by the
informations of Mr. Gifford's servants, hath been certified
unto you, and I believe assuredly that you shall find it
true in all points.

Touching the state of the country and the neighbours
adjoining, I have taken care to inform myself by the

^ Vol. xvi., n. 56.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 103

mean of some men of credit in these parts, and do find
that the gentlemen of calling and countenance and best
affected in religion, as Sir Walter Aston, Mr. Bagot,
Mr. Gresley, and a few such like, have their dwellings
distant from Mr. Gifford's house, some ten miles, some
twelve, and the nearest nine. Only Mr. Littleton, a very
honest religious gentleman, as I hear, dwelling within three
or four miles or thereabouts. Mr. Gifford having two
brethren, near neighbours to his house, the one of them
rich and of good credit in the shire, and both of them
backward in religion, so as the said house seemeth to
be barren of good neighbours.

The strength of the house deserveth little better
commendation, the windows of the one side lying open
upon the fields, and the windows of the other side, where
this Queen should be lodged, lying open upon the garden,
which is environed with a wall of no great height than
as a man may reach to the top. Only the third court,
which serveth for wood and fuel, is walled about, so as
if it be meant that this Queen should make any long
abode there, I must needs say for my discharge that the
said house is not of sufHcient strength for so weighty a
charge. But if it had been intended that she should
have remained there only during this winter season, and
then to have returned hither, which is the only fit house
for all purposes to receive this Queen in this shire, the
weakness of the said Mr. Gifford's house would have been
supplied with diligence and careful attendance.

But if this house were as well neighboured and of
as competent strength as might be wished, yet surely in
my simple opinion, there are other imperfections more
than sufficient to stay our remove thither, and especially
in the matter of the brewhouse there, which might serve
the turn to be used in such form as you set down in
your letters, if it were possible to get drink for the house-
hold, which is not to be had in those parts for any money

I04 Sir Aniias Poitlet,

And whereas in default therof, you require an estimate
of the charges of the erecting of another brewhouse, it
seemeth worthy of consideration that so long time will
be spent in making of the said estimate, in sending of
the same to the Court, and in returning of answer, and
then being agreed upon, in providing as well of timber,
stone, and other necessaries for the buildings, as also
of brewing vessels (being not easy to find timber fit for
that purpose, as I have found by experience for the
service of this house, having been forced to provide a
vessel whereof I stood in need, out of Worcestershire),
and lastly, in finishing the said buildings, besides that
the beer brewed will ask to be somewhat stale before
it be drunk, that when all diligence possible shall be
used, it will be impossible to remove yet these two or
rather three mionths, at which time the days will be at
the shortest for carriages, which will be in number very-
many, the ways extremely foul, Mr. GifFord's house distant
from hence twenty miles, and the winter so far spent as
the cause of this remove proceeding of the coldness of
this castle, will seem then to be taken away.

But if all these defects were tolerable, and might be
supplied in some reasonable sort, yet if this one thing be
true which Mr. Darrell now telleth me, it sufficeth to
overthrow this intended remove, which is that there is
not water enough there to furnish so large a brewhouse,
affirming that the brewhouse of the house hath been always
provided of water by means of a well adjoining, which
hath been made dry at every brewing of one tun of beer^,
and there is no other water belonging to the house, saving
in a conduit in the first court, the water whereof cometh
out of a marsh ground, and is at no time in any abundance,
but is sometimes dry when the marsh is dry. And thus I
do not see that either there is any mean to remove in
convenient time, or if we do remove, how we may be
suflficiently provided of drink.

Keeper of Mary Qiceen of Scots. 105

The straitness of the house might be supphed by such
means as you write, and yet it were convenient that the
greater number of my servants were lodged within the
gates.

I have therefore thought good to declare to this Queen
the great care which is had above to give her full satis-
faction touching her desired remove, that Chartley is
found to stand so low, and environed with such abundance
of water, as considering the state of her body, is not likely
to content her when she shall see it, and then there will be
as great trouble to remove her from thence as there was to
bring her thither, and that therefore other houses have
been sought, and at the last one house found which might
seem sufficient to serve the turn for three or four months,
and yet not without many imperfections, but it is of
necessity that a new brewhouse must be erected, which
will not be finished and the beer brewed to serve for the
household in less time than three months or near there-
abouts, at which time the ways will be ill for carriages,,
and the hardness of the winter well near spent.

Hereupon I prayed her to consider if it were not best
for her to content herself to spend this winter in this castle,
where she was provided with all things needful, which
haply would not be found in another place, all her train
well lodged, only herself had cause to complain of her
lodgings, which might be amended in many things if she
would resolve upon her tarrying, and that for her better
satisfaction I would be content to resign unto her the great
chamber wherein I do now dine and sup, and would nail
up the door which leadeth out of my bed-chamber into the
said dining-chamber, so as the same should remain wholly
to herself, and then she might remove her bed into her
now dining-chamber, which she herself reporteth to be the
warmest room she hath. I told her I would make a door
where is now a window in my utter chamber, and from
thence by the help of a new stair to be made, would make

io6 Sir Ami as Potdet,

a way by a low entry to the stair foot which leadeth to
the hall, and would make the star-chamber, which is
directly over against the hall door, my dining-chamber.

She answered me plainly that she would not accept of
this offer, that she will seek no new helps in this house,
that sithence she cannot be removed after so long a suit,
she will die in her bad lodging, and then her death shall
be imputed to the authors thereof, with many other bitter
words (whereof she is no niggard when she is moved with
passion), which proceedeth not so much of this mislike of
the let of her remove, as of the packet sent now with your
letters, by the which she receiveth no answer from the new
French Ambassador of the contents of her late letters,
complaining or rather exclaiming that she may not send
her letters into France by the mean of the French
Ambassador as in time past, and therewith her old griefs
touching the Countess of Athol and Fontenay were
renewed with great vehemency, and her son was not
forgotten, which was perchance remembered the rather
by reason of a letter received with this packet, by the
which a gentleman of Scotland writeth to this Queen that
her son had received of late from her Majesty six couple
of bloodhounds,^ wherein he took singular pleasure, and
that he preferred the amity of her Highness before all
other Princes of the world.

I did all that I could to appease her, and the rather
because I found her lying in her bed, and grieved with
three defluxions at that instant, in her shoulder, her arm,
and above her heel, as indeed she is very seldom free
from one grief or other, so as it seemeth that the diet
which she took in the beginning of this summer hath done
her little good, and more than five weeks or thereabouts
she hath not come out of her chamber, her grief removing
from one place to another.

^ From this passage the mention was taken of the six couple of " blood-
hounds" on page 26. No doubt Poulet should have said *'buckhounds."

Keeper of Mary Qzieen of Scots. 107

She imputeth her lameness, and all her disease, to this
house, although indeed she brought the same hither with
her. But I told her that her passionate and discontented
mind did more increase her sickness than the coldness of
this house, or any other thing whatsoever.

I would wish she were removed, although, all circum-
stances considered, it seemeth to be a matter of very great
difficulty, and, indeed, will prove very chargeable to her
Majesty, and very offensive to the country, for the great
number of carriages which must be employed to carry
from hence, and to bring wood, coal, hay, &c., to the
new house, and whithersoever this remove shall be made,
it will be five or six weeks before it can be performed.

I find nothing in this Queen's packet worthy the
advertisement, saving that which is before remembered
touching the bloodhounds, &c. Only this one thing may
not be hidden from you, that Curie, having been assured
of long time to Mowbray, a gentlewoman attending on
this Queen, by the assent of her mistress, her father and
mother have now given their good wills by their letters,
so as it is likely that this marriage will proceed to his
full effect shortly.

Your letters do not import that I should say anything
to this Queen touching Mowbray, mentioned in your said
letters, neither hath she as yet said anything to me therein,
as likewise I do not hear that any of this Queen's w^omen
here shall depart upon her coming hither. Upon direction
received from you, I will not fail to do as you shall appoint.

I will talk with the Receiver of the Duchy touching
the money resting in your hands for this Queen, and have
signified unto her the care which you take to see her
satisfied of such money as cometh to your hands in her
behalf

You write that you have sent unto me inclosed in your
letters the copy of this Queen's passionate letter to the
French Ambassador ; but I have not received it.

loS Sir Amtas Poulet,

I thank you most heartily for your French advertise-
ments, which I return unto you herewith.

Whereas you write that you know that this Queen
hath not as yet gotten any secret means for the convey-
ance of her bye packets, I can assure you that all open
means are clearly taken away, and all her people within
the gates so narrowly looked unto, as they can do no
hurt if they would ; but if this Queen hath as good
friends in this country, as it is reported, she may
by her laundresses convey what she will. It may be
that being removed from her old acquaintance, she will
hardly find new friends that wmU be content to hazard
themselves upon hope of uncertainty.

I trusted to have received Mr. Bagot's letter of assist-
ance from you before this time, which I desire greatly,
because when this Queen shall crave to ride abroad, which
she will do in her coach as soon as she is able, I may
perchance be unable to ride, and then she will think
herself ill handled, if she may not take the air when her
health will permit it.

And thus I commit you to the mercy of the Highest.

From Tutbury, the i6th of October, 1585.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

This last evening I conferred with Nau, who thought it
very reasonable that his mistress should yield to the offers
Avhich I had made, promising to deal with her effectually
therein, and having attended his answer four or five hours,
he telleth me that this Queen will not hearken to this
motion, alleging that she holdeth this house as unfortunate,
that she began her imprisonment here, that she shall end
her days here, and that she may thank Nau of her coming
hither. Nau telleth me that her physician is against this
remove, and thinketh that it will rather impair his
mistress' health than otherwise.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 109

Poulet to Walsijighaw, October i8, 1585.^
I trust you will consider that Spain borroweth little
of an open enemy, France is not much better, and this
lady so discontented, as I may not hope that she will
forbear any practice to procure her farther liberty, and
therefore you will either keep her where she is, or remove
her to a house of no less strength.

I have, according to your direction, sent to Mr. William
Agar, Receiver of the Duchy, for the payment of one
hundred four score and ten pounds to this Queen, which he
undertaketh to see performed the 4th of the next month,
whereof I have advertised Nau, who was well satisfied
therein.

The next letter- is interesting because it relates to Mary's
chaplain, and gives us a curious description of his disguise.
" Sir John," Poulet had called him in July, and as we have
seen he had conjectured he was a Priest as far back as May,
within a month of his appointment to succeed Sir Ralph Sadler,
but now he says that no doubt remained as to Du Preau's
profession.

Poulet to Walsingham.

Sir, — I remember that in perusing the letters and
memorials touching this Queen which you delivered unto
me by order from her Majesty at my last being at the
Court, I found that this lady had made sundry motions
for liberty to exercise the Romish religion for herself and
her family. I am also deceived if her Majesty did not
tell me that she would have no more marrying thereafter
in the Scottish family, thereby to avoid the inconveniences
which had ensued in times past by reason of midwives,
gossips, nurses, &c., besides the increase of the household
in children.

I have therefore thought agreeable with my duty to
advertise you that a P^renchman, one of this Queen's

1 Vol. xvi., n. 57. 2 Vol. xvi., 11. 59.

no Sir Amias Poulet,

retinue, and called by the name of her reader, apparelled
in court-like suit, a brooch in his hat, silver buttons, his
garments of all colours, is suspected to be a Priest, whereof
I have had this appearance, that at the time of their
assembly, which is twice every day in this Queen's dining-
chamber, some of my company have heard this man read
in the Latin language.

This is the man that hath been accustomed to distribute
the alms, and upon these occasions I have termed him in
my letters unto you before this time by the name of
Sir John, but he hath now discovered himself so plainly
as it may not be doubted hereafter of what profession he
is, being evident by many manifest presumptions that
Curie was married to Mowbray, this Queen's principal
gentlewoman, the 24th of this present, praying you for
my better discharge to impart the same to her Majesty.

It is not my place to prescribe orders, but to execute
faithfully such as shall be prescribed unto me, and yet I
trust I shall not offend greatly to deliver unto you my
simple opinion herein, which is that no known Popish
Priest ought to dwell within these gates.

If they be disposed of malice or blindness to transgress
the laws of God and m.an, and can carry their doings
so cleanly as no just suspicion may be conceived thereof,,
their sin is upon their own heads, and others that have had
no part therein are sufficiently discharged. But these open
doings reach not only to the actors, but to all such others
as shall wink at them.

And thus referring the same to your better con-
sideration, I take my leave of you, beseeching God ta
increase you in health and honour.

From Tutbury, the 26th of October, 1585.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

Keeper of Mary Qug^^-^^df-Scots. 1 1 1

I trust I shall be so happy not to hear from you
touching our remove until about Shrovetide, and then if
we shall remove, to remove to some house where we may
continue.

Poidet to Walsijigham, October 2"], 1585.^
I had forgotten, in my letters of yesterday, to signify
unto you that Cherelles writeth to Nau that it pleased
you to do him the honour (as he calleth it), in the delivery
of this Queen's packet to the French Ambassador, to
leave his letter unopened, or at the least, those which were
inclosed in his letters, seeming to stand in some doubt if
his own letters were opened or no, which I take to be
advertised to no other purpose than to give boldness to
Nau to send unto him hereafter letters of moment, inclosed
in his letters under base titles, upon trust to have the
freer passage. I am not ignorant that your greater
business will not permit you to attend to these trifles, and
yet, to deliver my opinion plainly unto you, I think it
very needful, as a very good mean to keep this people in
good order, that all their letters be always perused, and so
delivered open, as they may know that they have been
perused. . . .

It is now most manifest that Curie was married upon
Sunday last, and yet this Queen saith nothing thereof
to me.

On the nth of November,^ Poulet's preparations for removing
the Queen of Scots to Chartley, which were then far advanced,
were stopped by him on receipt of counter-orders from Walsing-
ham. He then proposed Dudley Castle as a fit place for her, and
on the i8th,^' he forwarded a letter from Edward Lord Dudley,
placing himself and his castle at her Majesty's commandment.
Chartley was, however, ultimately decided on, and the final
orders to remove were given by Walsingham on the 23rd ot
November, as we shall see when we come to Poulet's letter of

1 Vol. xvi., 11. 61. 2 Ibid., n. 63. "^ Ibid., n. 68.

112 Sir Amias Poiclet,

the 30th of that month, contained in the next letter-book. The
actual remove was effected on the vigil of Christmas, the 24th of
December. But other subjects first claim our attention.

It was in October that Gilbert Gifford visited Morgan in the
Bastile, and obtained from him the following letter ^ as his
credentials to the Queen of Scots. Morgan's suggestion that
Gifford should take a place under Poulet in the household
would have faciHtated the arrangements for the deception of
Mary Stuart.

-Morgan to the Queen of Scots.

It may please your Majesty, many of sundr}.' nations
and honourable members have found the means to visit
me in this undeserved captivity of mine, and among others
there was with me of late one named Gilbert Gifford, a
Catholic gentleman to me well known for that he was
brought up in learning of this side the seas this many
years past, where I have been always his friend to my
power, as I would be profitable to all that deserve well.

The said gentleman returneth to his country, and
offered to do me all the friendly offices that he may do.
His father is named John Gifford, a Staffordshire man,
a gentleman of a good house and well friended in that
country, but he is at this present a prisoner for our religion
at London, and so he hath been of a long time.'

The said John Gifford hath a brother named Robert
Gifford, who is also a Catholic gentleman, and dwelleth
Avithin ten miles or thereabouts of the place of your
continuance. These Giffords be kinsmen and friends
to Baynard (Fr. Throckmorton), and to Barasino (Tho.
Throckmorton), and otherwise well disposed towards your
Majesty.

Knowing the honesty and faith of these gentlemen and

considering their habitation and credit in their country,

and as far as I can perceive your intelligence discontinued

(though in that point both before and sith my captivity I

^ Vol. wL, n. 50.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 1 1 3

remembered to discharge my duty as shall appear unto
your Majesty, if they on that side perform their part
according to my careful and ample instructions given in
that behalf), I thought it my part for the more surety and
increase of the number of your servants and advancement
of your service, to deal with the said Gilbert to pratique
with his parents and friends for the furtherance of the
same.

This he promised to put in execution with care, and I
hope he will show his good will and diligence in the cause.
He required my letters to your Majesty, thereby to give
him credit and a mean to enter into intelligence with your
Majesty. For this purpose I gave him these few lines,
assuring myself of his faith and honesty, and for such I
recommend unto your Majesty the persons above named.

I have been in hand with the bearer to place some
honest gentleman and woman to serve your host and
hostess for your sake^ whereby your service may be the
better advanced. He is also instructed how to pratick
with your host, his people and such as depend of him or
his wife. He is also instructed how to haunt the market-
towns adjoining the place of your continuance, to see
whether he may thereby find any of your Majesty's people.
In all these points he hath promised to travail effectually.

I have dealt with him to see if he can place himself to
serve your host. This he will attempt. Yet his coming
from these parts will be suspicious in the sight of the
curious and watchful sort that have a special regard to all
such as be placed about your host, whereof I gave the
bearer warning, leaving him nevertheless to use his own
discretion when he came to the country and saw the
condition and state of things.

His uncle Robert above named was acquainted with

your host in this country. I have instructed the bearer to

cause his uncle to visit your host and to renew with him

their former acquaintance, whereby some familiarity may

I

114 Sir Amias Poulet,

be drawn between them, under the colour whereof some-
what may fall out to your Majesty's advantage. This I
desire as God knoweth, who knoweth my heart, and that
I have no other desire in this life but to serve God, your
Majesty, and my country. Thus with my prayers in this
captivity for your preservation and consolation, I most
humbly take my leave and commit your Majesty to God,
who ever preserve your Majesty.
Written this 15th of October.

Your Majesty's most humble
and obedient faithful servant
during life to command,

X

This letter is in Phelippes' hand, and in the postscript there is '
the following passage relating to himself, in the margin of which
he has written, "Philips to be dealt withal."

It is very like that one Phelippes hath great access to
your host in this time and peradventure hath some charge
under him. It is the same Phelippes of whom I made
mention heretofore. If you do use him according to my
former instructions, it may be that he may be recovered to
your service, but try him long and in small matters before
you use him, being a severe Huguenot, and all for that
state, yet glorious and greedy of honour and profit. By
this means he may perhaps be won to your service, but
I dare not assure you of him as I would I could ; but
present commodity and promise of preferment hereafter
will weigh much with him, and I told him heretofore upon
such conference as passed between him and me, and upon
the hope that he gave me to serve and honour your
Majesty, whereof he seemed well pleased, and told me
that he would do good offices. If he be there you may
cause some of your principal people to take him in hand,
and to let him know that you have been well informed of
him, and of his good disposition towards your Majesty,

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 115

-and assure him and his friends that you will acknowledge
their good wills, and so see how far he can be wrought to
your service.

The said Gilbert is instructed how to send your letters
to my hand to these parts.

And now the State Papers become crowded widi letters
■addressed to, or written by, the Queen of Scots, " in the hand-
writing of Mr. Phelippes," the very Phelippes of Morgan's letter.
Walsingham's resolve to destroy her was taken, and his servant, so
well known as Thomas Phelippes the decipherer, was employed
to weave the fatal web. On the honesty and veracity of this
man jNIary's life depended. It is significant that while he was
busily engaged in this work. May 3, 1586, Sir Francis Walsing-
ham writes^ to tell him that " the Queen has signed his bill for a
pension of one hundred marks,^ and takes his services in good
part." Hardly less significant is Poulet's promise to him a
month later, that he " will let him know if he hears of anything
of Lord Paget's meet for him.""^

In a letter previously given, Elizabeth had promised to be
" otherwise good to him." We see what the expression meant,
when we examine this man's subsequent career during her
reign. He was appointed "Customer," that is. Collector of Petty
Customs of the Port of London, in which office he had for a
colleague Mr. Justice Richard Young, with whose name the
Catholics of that time were so well acquainted. Now it will
hardly be credited by those who know how extremely penurious
Ehzabeth was, that Phelippes contracted in two years to the
■Crown a debt of 11,683/. ds. 63^d. He lost his ofiice, but he
was treated with great lenity. He was liberated from prison, his
annuity continued, and his land restored to him, on a promise to
pay his debt within eighteen months. He did not pay it, at least
in full, and he seems to have dictated his own terms, for the draft
of the Warrant of the Exchequer was drawn up by him.*

•^ Vol. xvii., n. 60.

" Mark^ a coin worth 13^-. /\d. Hallhudl.
^ Vol. xviii., n. I.

* Dom. Eliz., vol. cclxxv., n. 78; Docquet-book, October 8 and 10, 1598.
I 2

II 6 Sir A7?iias Poidet,

On the accession of James I., Phelippes had other terms to
look for from the son of the Queen, whose death was brought
about by his means. His "apology"' (in May, 1603), for meddling
in the affairs of the Queen of Scots, falsely declares that the only
part he took was deciphering for Government the letters relating
to Babington's conspiracy.^ Then in January, 1604, there is a
packet of pretended intercepted letters, endorsed in Cecil's hand,
"Letters written by Phelippes, and suggested by him to be
counterfeited."^' The fact was that he spent his life in counter-
feiting, and after Walsingham's death he seems to have carried
on the old trade that he might get possession of Catholic secrets
to sell. As Mrs. Green points out in her preface to one of the
volumes of the Calendar of State Papers, his position in the
Custom House was favourable to the receipt and despatch of
letters. There is a very curious collection of drafts of letters
"suggested by Phelippes," to be written by his instruments,
Thomas Barnes and others, to Charles Paget and other Catholics^
who little dreamt who their correspondent really was."'

At last he corresponded directly with Hugh Owen, who was
implicated by Fawkes' confession in the Gunpowder Plot. When
arrested on suspicion, he at once offered to carry on the corres-
])ondence for the purpose of betraying the secrets confided to
him, as the price of his own liberty. Neither this offer, nor
protestations of innocence, with assurances that his sole faults in
intriguing with Owen were " seeking some recompense," and
"delay in making disclosures till he had things fully ripe,"
saved him from the Tower. Curiously enough, his old spy
and instrument, Thomas Barnes,^ reported the substance of his
correspondence with Owen, and the Lieutenant of the Tower
during his imprisonment was Sir William Waad, the same who
had been sent to rifle the Queen of Scots' cabinets, when the
Babington conspiracy exploded. Mr. Tytler gives at length, in

^ Doifi./amcs I., vol. i., n. 119.

- loiiL, vol. vi., n, 37.

•^ '* Mr. Barnes is an honest man here, and his dealing with Phelippes,
that enemy to the cause, is allowed ; he but dissembles to the heretic."
Robert Robinson [William Sterrell] to Mr. 'Mtnice [Phelippes]. Dom. Elh.y
vol. ccxlii., n. 37.

* Dom. James /., vol. xvii., n. 61.

Keeper of Mary Qtieen of Scots. 1 1 7

proof of the writer's utter baseness and unscrupulousness, the
memorial^ that Philippes addressed to Waad,- in which he
acknowledges under his own hand the forging of a whole series
of letters addressed to an agent of the Spanish Government.

Is this the man, having it in his power, unchecked by fear of
discovery, to tamper with the letters he had to decipher, well
rewarded for exceptional services, and knowing perfectly what
would be acceptable to his employers — is this the man to be
quoted as an irreproachable witness, whose evidence is conclusive
against Mary ? Mr. Froude has not a word of blame for the part
taken by Phelippes in the scheme for Mary's destruction, a
part revolting to the moral sense even under the light in which
he sets it; nor has he a word of warning to the reader, as
to the character of the person on whose evidence everything
depended.

For on the veracity of Phelippes, as Mary's life depended then,
so do her character and her history depend now. In the Calendar
of the " Mary Queen of Scots " State Papers, no less than one
hundred and eight are expressly stated to be in this man's
handwriting, either that we are dependent on him for the
decipher, or that the copy surviving is in his hand. When
Mary's pajoers were seized, it is extremely improbable that the
letters in cipher only should have been preserved, and the
deciphers made for her use by her secretaries should have all

■^ History^ vol. viii., Appendix.

^ "At my return to the Tower I went presently to Mr. Phelippes' chamber,
and took him with me to another chamber, where I presently searched all his
pockets and found nothing of importance but some notes of a matter of steel.
I charged him he had not dealt friendly with me, having used him with all
courtesy, to fall to relapse in his practices. He protested he never wrote
letter sithence he was in the Tower, that might not be showed to any of
your lordships. After a deep protestation he said he knew whence this
.suspicion had its fountain, in that his wife had entertained a matter with his
privity with one whom I had heard of, who had the secret to make steel. The
party's name was Ball, to whom there should money be given for that secret.
This man James is with his wife.

" I send your lordship one of the papers that was in his pocket. Whether
this steel device be a jargon, or whether there may be any such new invention,
I know not, but I know in fomier intelligences he conveyed great matters
under such like invented names of 'stuff and 'toys,' and I must needs
think that Ball was a man very ill picked out for him to deal withal." Sir W.
Waad to the Earl of Salisbury, Dec. 26, 1607. Addl. J/SS., 6178, p. 819.

iiS Sir A mi as Poidet,

been destroyed. Yet the Calendar attributes but fifteen to-
Curie, and none to Nau; and of those by Curie most, if not all,.
were deciphered when he was a prisoner. This Curie himself has
been careful to record, though the Calendar neglects to notice
it. Over and over again^ we come upon " Deciphered by me,
Gilbert Curie, 5th October, 1586." Then we have to another
letter- his endorsement, "Upon notes of the Queen's Majesty
my mistress, written by me, Gilbert Curie, 5th October, 1586."'
And again,^^ "From me to Barnaby [Gilbert Gifford] at the
Queen's Majesty, my mistress' commandment, Gilbert Curie,.
5th October, 1586." Curie and Nau were arrested in August,
and their lives were in grave danger. A note"^ of "matters-
wherewith Curie is to be charged respecting Babington's letter
to the Queen of Scots," is dated September 21, and in September
Sir Francis Walsingham wrote ^ to Curie "that the favour already
granted to him is extraordinary, considering the foulness of his
offence," and that he should "have better ground to intercede
for him when he shall lay himself open, and show a disposition
to deserve the Queen's favour." Under this pressure Curie made^
the deciphers that have been mentioned.

It comes then to this : the deciphers made for Mary have
been destroyed, and those made by Phelippes alone survive..
When the secret letters are quoted, this should always be borne
in mind.

As an example, take the postscript to Curie, "which," says.
Mr. Froude, " it was certain the Queen of Scots would see : .
'■ There be many means in hand to remove the beast that troubles
all the world.' " •" This exists only in Phelippes' hand.^ Whicli.

^ Vol. xvi., n. 21 ; vol. xvii., nn. 7, 56 ; vol. xviii., n. 6 (two letters), and 10..

- Vol. xvii., n. 80.

** Vol. xviii., n. 10.

•* Vol. xix., n. 107.

•'• Vol. xix., n. 119.

^ If these deciphers were not made at this time, but only attested by
Curie, the case is all the stronger, for if these were forthcoming, who su})pressed
the rest? Prince Labanoff (tom. vi., p. 322) gives an attestation by Curie,
dated September 2, 1586, of a letter intended for use in Mary's trial, in.
which a paragraph mentioning Poley and Blount was omitted.

'' History, vol. xii., p. 131.

^ VoL xviii., nn. 13, 14.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 1 1 9

is the more probable, that Morgan had the " inconceivable
imprudence," as Mr. Froude well calls it, to put such words on
paper, or that Phelippes should have added it to his decipher
of this letter? If Elizabeth learnt that "the beast was to be
removed," as Mr. Froude tells us,i was there not motive enough
for the forgery in the wish to excite her fear and hatred of Mary ?

With regard to this man's visit to Chartley, Mr. Froude has
the following passage.- " Mary Stuart knew Phillipps by sight ;
a spare, pock-marked, impassive, red-haired man, something
over thirty. She had been already struck by his appearance.
Morgan had suggested that he might not be proof against a
bribe. She had tried him gently and without success, but she
had no particular suspicion of him."

Mary had written to Morgan," July 27, 1586, "I remember of
one named Phillippes, a gentleman who you had dealt withal long
ago to have served me, about Secretary Walsingham. There is
one of that name who had been here five or six days with my
keeper about Christmas, and whom at that time I made be sought
about, to try if he had been your man or not. But neither on his
side or mine could know the same, no more than I have yet
done in the space of a fortnight that he hath of late been here
and departed but this day : albeit both myself and some of mine
have given him occasion to have declared himself at hunting and
otherwise, if he had been the man you wrote of.

" This Phillippes is of low stature, slender every way, dark
yellow haired on the head and clear yellow bearded, eated in
the face with small pocks, of short sight, thirty years of age by
appearance, and, as is said. Secretary Walsingham's man : which I
have thought good hereby to utter, to the end against his next
return, in case it happen, I may before by you, if it be .possible,
be informed by these signs whether it be your man or not, and
accordingly to use him."

Mr. Froude, having Mary's letter before him, repeats her own
personal description of Phelippes, a photograph of a mean-

^ History, xii., p. 135.
- History, vol. xii., p. 138.

^ Vol. xviii., nn. 74, 75, one copy in Curie's hand and one in rhelippes'
own ; Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 423.

I20 Sir Amias PotUet,

looking scoundrel, charitably mending his appearance by sub-
stituting "impassive" for the "short sight" and "low stature."
Morgan, he goes on to say, had given Mary a hint to bribe
Phelippes, and accordingly she makes tentative efforts, which are
foiled by his impassiveness. The document itself simply states
that such a person had been at Chartley, and that Mary and her
attendants have tried unsuccessfully to make out whether he were
the identical Phelippes whom Morgan had tried long ago to
bribe. Mr. Froude adds that Mary " had no particular suspicion
of him." But Mary wrote to M. de Chateauneuf, March 24,
1586, and Phelippes copied the letter himself ^ — "Si c'est, comme
je doute, un nomme Philippes, serviteur de Walsingham, qui, vers
Noel, a sejourne en ceste maison plus de troys semaines, donne
vous garde d'y vous commettre d'avantage, car, ores qu'il ayt
promis de me faire service, je sgay qu'il joue double jeu."

The transfer to Chartley, as we have said, took place on the
24th of December. The second letter-book, which was written
there, opens with some letters which relate rather to Jersey than
to Mary Queen of Scots. It has seemed better, however, not
to omit them, as they are not among the State Papers.

To Sir Francis Walsingham, 27° Decembr.y 1585.

Sir, — It may please you to peruse this letter inclosed,
which I received this present day from Sir Thomas
Leighton, v^ho had written to the same effect to my son,
Anthony Poulet, as may also appear by this copy inclosed.
My said son giving me farther to understand that the
Count Brisac^ prepareth certain ships at Newhaven, but to
what end he cannot yet learn.

I would not doubt of the Spaniard's good will if he
were a near neighbour, but I have no great opinion that
the French would be hasty to stir up new enemies, and
to have so many irons in the fire at once ; and yet living
here a prisoner, I dare not judge of the actions abroad,
and therefore do refer myself herein to your better

^ Vol. xvii., n. 36; Labanoff, torn. vi. , p, 262.

* Charles de Cosse, afterwards marshal of P" ranee. Birch's Elizabeth,
vol. i., p. 163.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 1 2 1

knowledge of the state of foreign parts. But if you shall
find that this attempt carrieth any apparent colour of
truth, I shall most heartily pray your friendly mediation
towards her Majesty for supply of men and munitions
for the Isle of Jersey. Besides that it shall be very needful
that the inhabitants of Jersey be encouraged in all times
of danger by the assistance of some English supply, it is
also certain that the ordinary garrison maintained by the
captain is less than sufficient to defend the castle of Jersey
against the enemy.

It may be that the castle is sufficiently furnished of
munitions to pass over some little time of peace and
quietness, but in case of danger, it is of necessity that the
same be furnished with a new store of powder, calivers, &c.
Forbearing to set down the particularities of this supply
until I shall hear from you how the same shall be needful,
I have been always of opinion that in these like suspected
times one or two of her Majesty's smaller vessels might be
commanded to attend these isles, as well for their service
upon all occasions occurring, as also to bring advertisement
of their necessity, if any should happen.

And thus I leave, &c.

- Two other letters of the same date, one to Walsingham,^ and
the other to Burghley, relate to the provisioning of Chartley.
The words inclosed in brackets in the following letter are supplied
from the original.

To Sir Francis Walsingham, 27° Decembr.^ 1585.
Sir, — This Queen's packet sent with your letters of the
19th of this present contained no matter worthy of adver-
tisement. Returning unto you herewith your Scottish
occurrents with my most hearty thanks, I am very glad
to hear (and I take it as an especial favour done to myself)
that you have procured a new Privy Seal for a new supply

^ Vol. xvi., n. 76.

I2i Sir Ainias PoiLlet,

of money, whereof our need here is so great as it is
acco[mpani]ed both with shame and loss, and therefore
I shall most heartily pray you to hasten the execution of
the said Privy Seal as much as you may. It is true that I
received i,ooo/. at my coming from London for the service
of this household, but this money was spent before my
coming hither, so as I found this house indebted, the
charges here being greatly increased sithence the end
of the last harvest by reason of the great dearth of corn.
Our bread and our beer being dearer by the third penny,
our beef and mutton little bet[ter], provender for horses
no less, all sorts of poultry little under that rate, [wine]
in like manner, and the more by reason of the far carriage \
and now lately, this Queen, troubled with a weak stomach,
drinketh much sack,^ so as I am driven to make an ordinary
provision thereof I speak nothing of our dear carriages
of wood and coal, the charges whereof are also greatly
increased.

And now it may not be thought that the Lord Paget's
revenues, although they came wholly to my hands, can be
sufficient to entertain this great household without some
help of her Majesty's coffers. God is my witness that
I have great and singular care of her Majesty's profit in
this service, and have already cut off all fees of Court and
a great number of other superfluous charges, reducing all
things to such order as if I lived in my own house in
Somersetshire ; and even now, making my profit of the
straitness of this house, have reformed many disorders
to her Majesty's benefit and to the surety of my charge,
which could not have been done so cleanly before this
time.

This Queen's servants are always craving, and have no
pity at all of English purses, so as if I kept not a strait
hand on them, forcing them to address all their complaints

^ Sack^ sherry. The term was also given to any Spanish white ^\•ine.
HallrweU.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 123.

to myself and to no other, her Majesty's expenses here
[would be far greater than they are], and yet they will not
cease to cavil ; but I dare affirm that they are intreated
with all reasonable courtesy, and to her Majesty's honour.

I make this despatch to no other end than to pray your
speedy relief of money ; my little store, as also my credit
in this strange country, being utterly spent.

And thus, &c.

To my Lord Treasurer^ 27° Decembr.^ 1585.

My very good Lord, — Mr. Secretary, by his last letters
of the 20th of this present, writeth in these words, that
because the monies rising of the revenues of the Lord
Paget seemeth to be already spent, he had procured that
a Privy Seal should be directed for a new supply to the
end there should be no want. And therefore, presuming
that Mr. Secretary's knowledge of the necessity of this
household proceeded from your lordship, as likewise the
procuring of this Privy Seal, and desiring greatly the
expedition thereof, I have thought good to write unto him
more particularly herein, which I have done in the same
words in effect as were contained in my last- letters to your
lordship, as may appear by this copy hereunder written.

And thus resting always at your lordship's command-
ment, I leave, &c.

The next letter,^ however, shows that Poulet had misunderstood
Walsingham, and that the new Privy Seal was not yet issued.

The bearer, old acquaintance with whom Poulet claims, was
probably Phelippes, who was at Chartley about Christmas,.
" plus de troys semaines,' as Mary said in the extract already
given from her letter to M. de Chateauneuf The friendly
terms that existed between Poulet and Phelippes will plainly
appear in some letters that will be given in their chronological
place. No one but Phelippes could have had the " sufficiency '*"
to relate what Poulet's " short lines " left unsaid.
^ Vol. xvii., n. 3.

124 Sir A^nias Poidet,

To Sir Francis Walsingham^ id' Jaimarii, 1585.^
Sir, — I have received your letters of the ist and
2nd of this present, and whether the mistaking [was]
in your writer or in me touching the Privy Seal mentioned
in my letters to have been procured by you, the fault is
not great. Thanking you for your promise to hasten the
grant of the same, having done somewhat already for
my relief herein, as it seemeth by that my Lord Treasurer
hath written his letters to some of the Collectors of these
parts to pay their debts to my hands.

If the King of Scots hath begun already (as you write)
to work a conceit in his nobility that until they have
estranged themselves from England, they can never stand
assured of his good opinion and favour. It seemeth that
he cannot dissemble so cunningly as his mother and Nau
report of him, and, indeed, it is very gross that he should
discover himself so soon after this great accident.

The embroiderer^ having sent hither to this Queen's
physician at two sundry times for physic for his wife,
finding that no relief in money came from hence upon the
first sending, at the second took occasion to write to the
physician that without my succour he had been greatly
distressed ; upon sight whereof this Queen sent him four
angels.^ The sick woman continuing in extremity of
madness, so as being watched nightly by two hired men,
her keepers were forced to bind her hand and foot six or
seven days after the receipt of the said four angels. The

^ The reader must be pleased to remember that the year began on Lady
Day, March 25, in England up to the year 1752.

- Audrey's wife Poulet had been afraid to discharge, as he says in his letter
of August 18, 1585, because she was "a woman of judgment and under-
standing," Mary's desire to dismiss tlie embroiderer and his family was
repeated November 30 (Vol. xvi., n. 69). They were left at Tutbury. The
Queen's opinion of the embroiderer is given in her letter to M. de Chateauneuf,
March 24, 1586. "Sitost que mon brodeur sera par dela, faites-lc passer en
France, estant un fort mauvais et corrompu poltron " (Vol. xvii., n. 36 ;
Labanoff, tom. vi., p. 266).

^ Angel f a gold coin, varying in value from about 6s. Sd. to los. HalliisjelL

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 125

embroiderer writeth to this Queen's physician in such
terms as may appear unto you by this copy inclosed. It
is manifest by the physician's answer in writing, that
this Queen was troubled with this letter, and much the
more because she knew the same had passed through my
hands.

Whereas you write you have been advertised that some
letters have passed "between the Queen and her son by
the mean of some gentlewoman dwelling not far from
Tutbury, who hath been used as an instrument therein,
and hereupon require me to inform myself what gentle-
women likely to be so employed are dwelling v/ithin ten or
twelve miles of that place. The truth is, that I have not
seen any other gentlewomen in this country than the
Lady Aston, Mrs. Gresly, lately deceased, and Mrs. Bagot,
whom I have seen in their houses, and do think and
believe them to be of good credit, and faithful subjects to
her Majesty.

There are many recusants and other suspected Papists
within twelve miles of Tutbury whose wives are not
unlikely to do bad offices. The Lady Grace, wife to
Mr. Henry Candishe, is an old acquaintance with this
Queen, and with all the retinue, as you know. The other
gentlewomen of these parts are utterly unknown to me,
and therefore I am bound to judge the best of them, and
may not be too hasty to accuse in a matter of this
weight w^ithout good ground, praying you to believe that
no gentlewoman or other woman of this country hath had
access to this Queen sithence my coming to this charge.
And I may say as much for all the gentlewomen in this
country of all degrees, yea, even in the day of her remove
hither.

I have advertised heretofore that this Queen's laun-
dresses had great liberty to do what mischief they would
at Tutbury, being lodged out of the castle and out of
the danger of the watch and ward, so as they might

126 Sir Amias Poulet,

carry and receive all things at their own pleasure. This
is all I can say herein. Neither do I know how to
inform myself better. It seemeth that the advertiser
might be entreated or compelled to express his know-
ledge in plain terms, and it is likely that he that can say
that a gentlewoman hath done it, doth also know or may
learn of his author who she is.

I can say no more touching Tutbury, but of this house
I may affirm, and therein I take God to witness, that the
laundresses being lodged within the house as now they
are, and the residue of this Queen's train watched and
attended in such precise manner as they be, I cannot
imagine how it may be possible for them to convey a
piece of paper as big as my finger, and I think if you
were here with me you would say as I say. And yet I
dare assure nothing in so nice a point, but I speak plainly
and truly as I think.

Mr. Phelippes hath assisted me in perusing of this
Queen's packet, wherein I refer you to this abstract here
inclosed, by the which you may perceive that new
servants are expected, wherein I trust you will not be
hasty. The two gentlewomen lately admitted have filled
this house full of news, and you must look for larger
measure if any servants come out of France.

I find, by a memorial sent by the carrier from Nau
to Cherclles, that he is desired to be a suitor unto you
for a woman-servant for Carell's [Curie's] new wife, so
as now it cannot be avoided but you must be acquainted
with the marriage,^ and therefore it may please you to
prepare your answer.

You may believe that this bearer, for the old
acquaintance between him and me, was very welcome
unto me, thinking myself beholden unto you for this
friendly choice, and now his sufficiency shall excuse my

* Poulet means that the presence of the Priest is thus acknowledged. See
the letter of October 26, 1585.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 1 2 7

short lines. I shall think myself happy to have heard of
your dangerous sickness and of your recovery by one self-
[same] messenger.

Beseeching God, &c.

It is necessary to repeat that the original of this letter is
amongst the State Papers, which, when they suit him, are freely
quoted by Mr. Froude. Let us now compare one of Mr. Froude's
assertions with the source from which he drew. When Walsing-
ham had written that he knew that "this Queen hath not as yet
gotten any secret means for the conveyance of her bye packets,"
Poulet wrote in reply from Tutbury, October 16, 1585, to assure
him that all open means are clearly taken away, but that "she
may by her laundresses convey what she will."' So again, Poulet
now says that at Tutbury " the laundresses had great liberty to do
what mischief they would, being lodged out of the castle, and out
of the danger of the watch and ward, so as they might carry and
receive all things at their own pleasure." Of Tutbury he can say
no more, but at Chartley Poulet takes God to witness that he
"•'cannot imagine how it may be possible for them to convey a
piece of paper as big as his finger."

With this before him, Mr. Froude wrote in his History,
respecting the secret correspondence between Mary and her
friends which Walsingham intended should be carried on through
Gilbert Gifford, " Nothing could be done while the Queen of
Scots was at Tutbury. The approaches to the castle were too
difficult, the guard too effective to be evaded. The Queen of
Scots was clamorous to be removed, in the hope, poor creature,
that she might find communication elsewhere less impossible.
Walsingham, for the same reason, was equally anxious to humour
her. . . . Paulet had affected to persuade her to remain at
Tutbury, though Elizabeth had consented to her removal. He
had made her only, as he probably intended, the more eager to
go. . . . She went Walsingham's way, believing it to be her
own."i

A romance writer relies for the interest he excites on the
multiplicity of details that he weaves into his plot. Historically,
^ Froude's History, vol. xii., pp. in, 115.

128 Sir Amias Poulet,

as to this detail of this particular plot, it is plain that it was a
matter of perfect indifference to Walsingham and of no con-
sequence to the success of his plans against Mary, whether she
remained at Tutbury or was removed to any of the houses he
suggested. It is true that Mary did not use the laundresses as a
means of communication at Tutbury, so that Poulet's suspicion of
them was as it happened misplaced, and she remained without
private letters from her friends until she was moved to Chartley.
This was not because Chartley was more accessible than Tutbury,
for with Poulet's connivance letters could have been introduced
into the one house as easily as into the other; and indeed
the Burton brewer, who was the instrument of communication at
Chartley, served Tutbury Castle with beer. Mr. Gifford's house
was too far from Burton to be supplied with beer by him ; and it
does not seem to have been true that Walsingham would have
greatly preferred it to Chartley, as Mr. Froude supposes, and that
he was baffled by Poulet in his simplicity, while yet in ignorance
of the Secretary's plot.

Again Mr. Froude is inaccurate. " The coachman wha
exercised her horses, the laundress who carried out the clothes,
the almoner who distributed her charities in the adjoining village,
all were employed on her correspondence. . . . Letters stole in
despite of Paulet's care. ... La Rue's communication must
have been almost the last which she received for many months,
and Paulet's skill at last stopped the channels by which her own
private letters were carried out."^

Here Mr. Froude sketches how peculiarly tantalizing it must
have been for Mary to find her intelligence cut off, just after the
receipt of Pere La Rue's letter, " on the eve of the expected
triumph of the Catholic cause." But Mary did not receive
Pere La Rue's letter till it was more than a year old, and then
it came through Walsingham's contrivance. Mr. Froude might
have seen her own statement in the Public Record Office,- or in
Labanoft; dated Chartley, June 30, 1586. " Mon pere, je croy
que vous aurez este assez adverty de I'interruption de toutes mes
intelligences depuis mon changement de garde, ce qui a este

1 History, vol. xi., p. 579.

* Vol. xviii., n. 24; LabanoflT, torn, vi., p. 349.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 129

cause de me faire recevoir si tardivement les deux dernieres
lettres^ que vous m'avez escriptes."

Mr. Froude must have forgotten how dramatically he had
shut up Mary Stuart with Pere La Rue's letter in her hand, when
later on^ he says that his letters in cipher were with the others,
^' which had been lying at the French Embassy, unforwarded for
want of opportunity."'^ Yet he adds, "Some of them, those
especially from La Rue, have been already quoted," as having
been in Mary's hands a twelvemonth before she received them.

We may be sure that Poulet's persuasions to Mary to remain
at Tutbury were not "affected," nor intended to make Mary more
anxious to go. Her gouty keeper did not like changing houses
in the winter, and if he could have put the plasterers in to ceil
Mary's room without removing her, he would have done it. In the
very October, when Mr. Froude imagines he was by a feigned
opposition inducing Mary to wish to leave Tutbury, he was
himself writing* to Walsingham that he hoped to hear no more of
the remove "until about Shrovetide," that is, not before spring.

To my Lord Treasurer^ the loth of January^ 1585.
My very good Lord, — I think myself bound to your
lordship for your letters directed to the Collectors of these
parts as for a singular turn, and do take it as a sure
testimony of your friendly care of my poor service, and
yielding unto your lordship most humble thanks for the
same. I wish that the Privy Seal intended to be pro-
cured may extend to one thousand pounds, and that
Mr. Baynham may be required to make payment unto
me of the last half year's receipt of the Lord Paget's lands,

^ May 8, 1585, vol. xv., n. 86 ; November 14, 1585, vol. xvi., n. 64.

" History, vol. xii., p. 120.

^ "Lorsqu'elle fut es mains dudit Sadler et Paulet, elle perdit tout moyen
d'avoir lettres secretes de quelque part que ce fut, et durant lesdites annees
1584 et 1585 ; de sorte que le sieur de Mauvissiere, partant de sa charge
d'Ambassadeur en Septembre 1585, laissa es mains du sieur de Chateauneuf,
son successeur, grande quantite de paquets secrets pour ladite dame, lesquels
il n'avait pu lui tnvoyer durant les dites annees (CMtcaunei/fs Memoir ;
Labanoff, tom. vi., p. 278).

* Vol. xvi., n. 59 ; Supra, p. iii.

J

130 Sir Amias Poulet^

as likewise of that which shall be due hereafter, and then
I trust I shall not need to be hasty to pray any new
supply. It is very true that this household is greatly
indebted at this present.

It pleased your lordship to signify unto me by your
letters in the end of this last summer, that the patent
of the stewardship of the Lord Paget's lands should be sent
unto me as soon as the seal could be procured. If it be
forgotten, it may please your lordship to call it to your
remembrance. If upon any occasion your lordship shall
ttink to stay it, or to revoke it, I refer myself most
willingly to your lordship's good pleasure.

And thus, &c.

To the Justices of Stafford, touchi?ig the cont?'ibution of 7?ioHcy for
wood and coke \coal\&'c., 11° Januarii, 1585.

After my very hearty commendations, whereas upon
conference between you and the Justices of the county of
Derby, at the instance of Sir Ralph Sadler, then having
the charge of the safe keeping of the Queen of Scots,
it was agreed, the 20th of February last past, that certain
sums of money should be levied for the necessary carriages
of wood and coal for one whole year unto the Castle of
Tutbury, for the governor and household attending there
upon the said Queen, vizt., in the county of Stafford
four score and ten pounds, in the county of Derby
four score and ten pounds, and in Leicestershire four
score pounds ; which, upon due consideration of the
proportion of wood and coal requisite for the said service,
and of the short carriage of the same b}^ reason of the
nearness of the Queen's woods, seemed to be reasonably
rated.

Having considered that the time agreed for will be
expired very shortly, and understanding of your assembly
at Stafford this day, and being unwilling to be more
troublesome unto the country than necessity enforceth,

Keeper of Mary Qzteen of Scots. 1 3 1

I have thought good to pray you to take order for a
competent sum of money to be levied within your county
for the purpose before rehearsed, for the year to come,
wherein it shall be meet to have regard as well of the
far and dear carriage of wood and coal to this house of
Chartley (the certainty and truth Avhereof cannot be
unknown to some of you), as also that it is unlikely that
the county of Derby will yield to any great contribution
to this service, by reason that this household is removed
so far from them. And thus, not doubting but that you
will not only tender the quietness of your neighbours, but
also have due regard to her Majesty's service, expecting
your answer by this bearer, I leave you to your own
discreet considerations.

And whereas order hath been given heretofore for a
Avatch by night of two persons, and of a ward by day
of one person, to be kept in the townships and parishes
within ten miles of the castle of Tutbury, and also of a
weekly search to be duly made within the said precinct, as
by this note inclosed of the order then prescribed, may
more plainly appear unto you ; these shall be to pray
you to have no less care of her Majesty's service in this
place, and to that purpose to revive the said order, with
strait charge for the due execution of the same.

And thus, &c. ,•

This copy, altered in one or two points, was sent also
to the Justices of Derby.

The next letter is out of its proper place. It must have been
written at Tutbury, and the only sentence that it contains relating
to the Queen of Scots is the first, which gives us the date of the
final order for the transfer to Chartley. The rest of the letter is
about an appeal case from Jersey, which George Poulet had come
over to defend ; and as he had applied to his brother. Sir Amias,
for letters of recommendation to the Court, so this letter has
naturally been placed with that which follows it
J 2

132 Sir Aniias Poulet,

To Sir Francis Walsingham, ulf^ A^ove?nbr., 1585.
Sir, — Having received your letter of the 23rd of this
present for the removal of this Queen [to] Chartley,
wherein all diligence shall be used, I have not now where-
with to trouble you in anything concerning her Majesty's
service, but am bold to trouble the post for my private
business in a matter concerning my government in Jersey,
wherein I am most heartily to pray your good favour, and
yet no otherwise than as the same may stand with justice
and equity.

It was ordered in anno 1572, by the Lords of her
Majesty's Council (the order being extant in the chest of
the Council Chamber), that no appeal in any case or
matter, great or small, should be permitted or allowed
by the Justices of the said isle before the same matter
were fully examined and ended by definitive sentence,
or other judgment having the force and effect of a
sentence definitive, thereby to avoid many great incon-
veniences tending to the hindrance of justice in general,
and to the great loss and trouble of the parties, as well
plaintiff as defendant, in particular.

This order hath been duly obeyed until now very
lately that one Andrew Harrys, of the Isle of Guernsey,
hath appealed before the sentence definitive, and would
not be persuaded by any prayers, entreaty, or other advice
of the Justices, to desist from the same ; but hath found
sureties to maintain his doings herein, when he shall be
called to answer the same before the Lords of her Majesty's
Privy Council.

Hereupon my brother, George Poulet, now Bailiff of
that isle, at the instant request of the Justices, fearing lest
this breach might breed a great ruin, is repaired into
England to prosecute this cause, staying himself in the
west parts with his sick wife, to avoid the expenses of his
vain attendance at the Court without the presence of his
party. And like as I doubt not but that the Lords of her

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 133

Majesty's Council will maintain their own doings, wherein
I am most humbly to pray their lawful favour ; so I shall
most heartily desire you to send a pursuivant for the said
Harrys at the peril of the party that shall be found to
have transgressed. And upon the arrival at the Court of
the said Harrys, and the same signified unto me by your
letter, my brother shall not fail to wait on you with all
speed, or sooner if you shall think so meet, wherein it
may please you to give me your direction.

I am not ignorant that the calling of the said Harrys
by a pursuivant will breed charges and expenses to him
that shall be found faulty, and I could be content that the
matter were carried with less damage to the offender ; but
I consider that the calling of him in this sort will serve
to great purpose to terrify all such wilful and malicious
fellows, and to keep them hereafter within the bounds of
obedience. Neither do I see how he may be called by any
other assured mean.

There is also another cause of my brother's repair into
England, which is that one Hellyer Paine, inhabitant of
the Isle of Jersey, hath also appealed of a late sentence
given by my said brother. And forasmuch as it hath
fallen out these few years last past that the party
appealing hath been accustomed to leave the prosecuting
of his appeal, and to procure a Commission from the
Lords of the Council, referring the deciding and hearing
of the cause and controversy unto Commissioners, to the
great hindrance of the due execution of justice, to the
utter abolishing of the laws and privileges of the said isle,
and to the great slander of the Bailiff and Justices there ;
the Justices, fearing lest this appeal of Hellyer Paine
might have like success, have prayed my said brother to
answer the said cause in person, in which behalf I am to
trouble you with two suits. The first, when Hellyer Paine
shall make his repair to the Lords of the Council, which,
by order established by their lordships, he must do within

134 ^^^ A77tias Poulet,

three months, that he may be commanded to justify his
appeal, as by law he is bound to do, and that he may not
hide his wilfulness under the cloak of a Commission. My
second suit is, that when the said Hellyer shall arrive at
the Court, that it may please you to give me knowledge
thereof, whereupon my brother shall not fail to make
his immediate repair thither.

I confess that it were my brother's duty to attend, but
being willing to avoid idle expenses, and also to accom-
pany his sick wife, if it shall please you to be content to
forbear him until one of his parties shall be in place, I
shall thank you heartily for it, and shall take it for a
favour done to myself

I am so well persuaded of the integrity of my said
brother, as I do not doubt but he will answer all his doings
to the good satisfaction of my Lords of the Council ;
and, indeed, I placed him in the office of Bailiff in that
isle for no other cause than that by his upright and
sincere dealing justice might be duly administered to the
inhabitants there in this time of my absence. I am very
sorry that among your weighty and manifold business, the
isle of Jersey should minister any occasion of trouble
unto you.

And thus, &c.

To my Lord Treasurer, 15^ Jamiariiy 1585.
My very good Lord, — Whereas at my last being in
Jersey I placed this bearer, my brother, George Poulet,
in the office of Bailiff in that isle, for no other cause
than that, by his upright and sincere dealing, justice
might be duly administered to the inhabitants there in
this time of my absence, and do not doubt but that his
proceedings are, and will be, such as will be answerable to
my expectation. My said brother being repaired to the
Court at the instant request of the Justices of the said
isle, to defend his and their doings in a matter of appeal

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 135

before the Lords of her Majesty's most honourable Privy
Council ; these are most humbly to pray your lordship to
afford him your favour, the rather at my desire, and yet
no otherwise than as the same may stand with justice
and equity.

And thus, &c.

The next letter ^ makes open mention of Mary's chaplain.

To Sir Francis Wahijigham^ 15^ Januarii, 1585.

Sir, — Whereas Bastian's wife looketh to be delivered
of child shortly, I am to pray your direction for my
behaviour at the time, which I shall not fail to follow
in all preciseness. In former times, besides that the
midwife and nurse were provided out of the country, the
child was also baptized by the next minister, and English
godfathers and godmothers admitted. This Queen is now
so well provided, and useth her chaplain so boldly, as
there will be no question of the baptism, as I take it.
But what shall be done touching the midwife and nurse,
I refer to your better consideration. The access of mid-
wives and nurses cannot be admitted without peril, but
how they may be avoided in cases of extremity, I refer to
your better judgment.

I remember that it pleased her Majesty to say unto
•me, that she had considered of the inconveniences which
had ensued by these occasions, and would provide the
•remedy. It is likely that Curie's wife will be sick of the
same disease very shortly, and some say she complaineth
already. As likewise it is to be expected that there will
be no end of marrying in this great household, when they
may marry without controlment, according to their own
.religion.

This Christmas time, joined with this frosty weather,
hath deprived us of all kinds of sea fish, which is so ill
rtaken, as they threaten to complain by their letters. And

^ Vol. xvii., n. 4.

13^ <Sir Amias Po2ilet,

}'et I assure you, as great care hath been used to provide
it as was possible. Indeed, this house is ill seated for
that kind of provision. There is no end of their cavilling,
and therefore I would be glad they did complain, that
I might convince them of their unreasonableness, wherein
there is no m.easure.
And thus, &c.

Passing over the letter to Walsingham of January 25,^ which
is about linen and laundresses, the next, to Lord Burghley, is
about Queen Mary's money matters.

To my Loi'd Treasitj-er, 27 yamiarii, 1585.

My very good Lord, — Whereas Mr. Wm. Agar hath
made payment to this Queen only of 100/., and hath
given his band- for the other 500/., to be paid the 26th
of this next month, Avherewith this Queen is as well
satisfied as if she had received all the money in hand^
having prayed me to make him a discharge of the whole
sum, which I have done under my sign. It is so that
this Queen is advertised, by letters received very lately,
of other 600/. arrived at London, wherein she hath
prayed me by Nau to request your lordship's favour for
speedy payment to be made unto her of those other 600/.,
which if your lordship cannot do by the mean of her
Majesty's receivers, or other like officers, then she desireth
you to require Mr. Agar to bring the said money with him
from London at her adventure, which, indeed, he hath
proffered to do ; and to this purpose he shall receive the
said sum of the P^rench Ambassador in gold. This Queen
pretendeth to have great need of this mone}^ and that the
same is already due to her servants here for their wages.

And thus, &c.

The Queen of Scots at this time had a serious illness. On the
30th of January, Poulet wrote to A\'alsingham.

^ Vol. xvii., n. 12. - Band, a bond, a covenant. HaUhocIl.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 137

To Sir Francis Walsingham^ 30 Januarii, 1585.

Sir, — I thank you most heartily for your last despatch,
wherein you did my brother great pleasure, who had
forgotten that all his papers remained with me, without
the which he can do no good in his business.

I have thought good to trouble you with this abstract
here inclosed of the French Ambassador's letters to this
Queen, finding nothing else in the packet worth the
advertisement.

This Queen is much grieved at this present, sleeping
little, and eating less. The humour removeth from one
place to another, and doth now possess many places at
once.

I am very glad to hear that you are returned to the
Court in good health, where God maintain you in the
same.

Chartley.

To Sir Francis IValsinghani^ 2 Febniarii, 1585.
Sir, — This Queen hath kept her bed this six or seven
days, being very much grieved with ache in her limbs,
so as she is not able to move in her bed without great
help, and when she is moved, endureth great pain. She
hath caused me to be informed, that when she came to
Tutbury this last year, the bed appointed for her own use
was stained and ill-favoured, whereof she complained to
Mr. Somer, who, being willing to redress it the best he
could, delivered unto her his own bed, which is no better,
indeed, than a plain ordinary feather bed, and is so much
as the feathers come through the tick. She saith that
hitherto she hath contented herself with this bed, but being
not able to ease herself in her bed, as when she enjoyed her
health, she findeth herself annoyed (the rather by reason
of her long lying) with the hardness of the feathers, and
therefore prayeth to be provided of a bed of down, which

^ Vol. xvii., n. 14. - Ibid., n. 17.

138 Sir Amias Poulet,

seemeth so reasonable as I could not in honesty and
charity, refuse to move it. There is honour and conscience
in this trifle, and therefore it may please you to have
consideration of it.
And this, &c.

This copy was also sent to my Lord Treasurer.

In the next letter Sir Amias returns to the linen.

To Sir Francis Walsingham^ ly Februarii^ 1585.

Sir, — It seemeth that Mr. Yonge hath been abused in
the provision of the linen sent lately hither, which hath
been greatly misliked by this Queen and all her officers ;
and after some ill favoured speeches, so much thereof
as was to serve this Queen's table was utterly rejected
upon the first view, and rendered again immediately to
Mr. Darrell, and the residue accepted rather of necessity,
because they could not spare it, as they said, than for
any liking they had thereof The next day the whole
proportion was returned to Mr. Darrell by order from this
Queen, upon information given by Nau and some others
of his fellows, that the linen provided for their use was not
meet to be received. They complain of the coarseness of
all this linen, and of lack of breadth and length in the
napkins and cupboard cloths, and therefore have delivered
unto me a pattern of every sort of those which they had in
Sir Ralph Sadler's time, desiring to be furnished, if not of
better, yet of as good at the least.

I have thought good to send back this linen unto
you, to the end you may cause it to be seen by
such as have knowledge therein. Indeed the whole
portion was very ill chosen, and was so thin as it
carried the show of cloth that had been already worn,
the Scottish people affirming plainly that the towels
had been made of sheets, which also did appear by the
threads which had been ripped and sewed again. I am

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 1 39

so of opinion that in such provisions the best and the
strongest is best cheap, and especially for this people
which make no spare of it in washing and wearing. It
shall make for her Majesty's profit that this linen be sent
without delay, because this linen of the finer and better
sort, which might have lasted until Christmas next as they
say, is now worn daily for lack of change.

I would have been bold to have stayed this linen for
the provision of her Majesty's household here, whereof
there is great need, and might have served the turn very
well for so long as it would last, but I durst not presume
so far, and did forbear the rather because I doubted it
might be thought that I had assented to the refusal made
by the Scottish people to the end I might retain it to my
own use. Their demand now is somewhat increased, as
may appear by this note inclosed, which Mr. Darrell
received of this Queen's master of household, who hath
been intreated with some difficulty to accept of the dresser
cloths and wipers.

And thus, &c.

I think myself greatly beholden unto you for your
favour extended towards my brother, which I do acknow-
ledge with all thankfulness.

To Sir F. IValsingham^ eodem die.
Sir, — I have thought good to accompany my other
letters sent herewith by reason of this Queen's linen with a
word or two concerning her disposition of body, which is
that she remaineth fast lodged in her bed, where she hath
continued now this month and more, subject to many
painful defluxions, and within these two days was taken in
one of her sides in very extreme manner, so as all her
trustiest servants were sent for with speed, who have not
seen her so dangerously grieved at any time heretofore, as

^ Vol. xvii., n. 23.

140 Sir Amias Potdet,

Nau and others have reported. After seven or eight hours
this violent pain was assuaged, and the night following she
took indifferent good rest.
And thus, &c.

The letters to Walsingham of the 26th of February relate to a
visit of M. Arnault, 1 and they are followed by a civil little note in
French from Poulet to M. Arnault himself

A Monsieur Arnault^ 26 Februarii, 1585.
Monsieur, — Allant coucher le soir apres votre partement
je donnay charge a mon secretaire de vous aller voir le
matin et vous a porter mes lettres a Monsieur Walsingham.
Estant couche et endormy Monsieur Nau m'envoye
I'extraent inclose, lequel ie n'avois enchores veu quand
mon secretaire s'en allast vers vous, qui est la cause que ic
ne le vous ai envoye pour lors, vous priant de m'excuser.
Je vous supplie de croyre que vous avez acquis une grande
obligacion sur moy, de la quelle ie m'acquitteray a la
premiere occasion qui se presentera, en appes \sic] de quoi
ie vous baise bien humblement les mains, priant Dieu,
Monsieur, vous tenir en sa digne et saincte garde.

To Sir Francis Walsingham^ nit. Febrnarii, 1585.
Sir, — Mr. Darrell having received advertisement from
the Court of the late decease of Mr. Rutland, one of her
Majesty's household officers there, by occasion whereof it
falleth out that every other officer according to his place is
to attain to some higher degree of preferment, forasmuch
as by the alteration Mr. Avenor- (as it seemeth), is to
be preferred to the Greencloth, and so consequently
Mr. Darrell, being one of the Clerks of the Avery, to arise
in his degree.

^ Vol. xvii., nn. 25, 26.

" The Greencloth was the counting house as well as the court of justice of
the royal palace. The Avenor was the chief clerk of the Avery, and was an
officer under the Master of the Horse, having the charge of the provender for
the royal stables.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 141

I can do no less than to recommend his cause to your
favour, and most earnestly to pray you to have such
friendly consideration of him that he may in his course
attain to such preferment as by order is due unto him. It
is often seen that men out of sight are out of mind, but his
service here being in care, travail, continual writing, and
daily attendance far beyond the service of any of his
companions about the Court, it were unreasonable that his
absence should be hurtful unto him, deserving to be better
regarded and rather to be recompensed extraordinarily
than to have anything taken from him.

I may affirm unto you that besides that the gentleman
serveth here so painfully and carefully, as I will not hope
that he will be succeeded with his like ; so he is also
religious, honest, and endued with many good virtues. I
pray you once again, as heartily as I can, to assist him
with your good favour.

And so, &c.

On the 2nd of March,^ Poulet communicated to Walsingham
the desire of Sharp, the coachman, and of [Burgoigne], the
physician, to be discharged from the service of the Queen of
Scots. The first request " seemed so strange, as I said I could
hardly believe that he was of that mind." Sharp, however,
persisted, "praying the like for his sister and sister-in-law, who
serve here as laundresses." This "I would suspect to be grounded
upon great cunning, if I did not know that they were already
provided of sufficient means to perform all the treacheries that
they can devise." This clearly is an allusion on Poulet's part to
the plan of communicating with the outer world through Gilbert
Gifford and the Burton brewer, which Walsingham had devised,
and which was now beginning to work.

As these treacherous individuals play so considerable a part

in this tragedy, we avail ourselves of the present opportunity

to lay before the reader some observations on Mr. Froude's

statements respecting Gilbert Gifford and his employer, Sir

^ Vol. xvii., n. 27.

142 Sir Amias Poulety

Francis Walsingham. After an elaborate argument to show-
that Walsingham was acting with perfect uprightness in setting
a trap for Mary Stuart and her CathoHc correspondents, he
pronounces Elizabeth's Minister innocent of bringing about
her death by tempting her to join in the Babington conspiracy.
"It has been represented as set on foot by Walsingham
to tempt the Queen of Scots to ruin herself It was utterly
unconnected in its origin either with him or with his instru-
ments. The channel of communication which Gilbert Gifford
had opened was made use of by the conspirators, but the
purpose had no existence in Walsingham's original design, nor
does it appear that Gifford himself was even trusted with the
secret, or was more than partially, accidentally, and externally
connected with either Babington or his accomplices." ^

Froude then introduces Ballard as " the original instigator " of
the plot, acting under the patronage of Mendoza, whose personal
hatred for Elizabeth was sharpened by eager desire to avenge
himself for his summary expulsion from England. Ballard saw
[Morgan in the Bastile, who introduced him to Gifford. "Gifford,"
he goes on to say, "though he accompanied Ballard from Paris to
England, was personally ignorant of what was going forward. It
was not till afterwards that he learnt it, in conversation, from
Ballard himself. Though he probably saw Walsingham in London,
therefore he had nothing of moment to make known to him."^

Then again."^ " The Queen of Scots was the victim of
treachery, so it has been often said, and so it will be said again,
and if by treachery it is meant that she was deceived, the charge
is just. But it is false, absolutely and utterly, that the plot was
set on foot by agents of Walsingham to tempt her to join it in her
desperation, and then to destroy her."

In Gifford, says Mr. Froude, "the Jesuit training pro-
duced a 'character of a different type" to that of his brothers.
" He was taken from England when he was eleven years
old, and the Order therefore had him entirely to themselves,

^ Ilistory, vol. xii., p. 124.

- Jbid., p. 132. Perhaps not personally; for as Chateauneuf says, Gifford
all along "communiquait letout avec Walsingham par leraoyende Phelippes"
(Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 288).

^ History ^ vol. xii., p. 147.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 143:,

to shape for good or evil."^ Gilbert Gifford had no "Jesuit
training," and " the Order " never had anything to do with
him. Mr. Froude may be excused the mistake in this instance,
for M. de Chateauneuf has committed the same error; but
it is necessary to note that all through Mr. Froude's History
he habitually styles "Jesuits" those who never had anything in
the world to do with the Society of which St. Ignatius Loyola
was the founder. Thus Anthony Tyrrell and Foscue, or
Fortescue, better known as Ballard, are " two young English
Jesuits."^ So also "neophytes, when their conversion was com-
pleted, were drafted off to Douay or Rheims, were admitted,
most of them, while their imaginations were still fevered, into
the Order of Jesus." ^ When this curious system of misnaming
men is understood, it is of course possible to make allowances
when reading the book, so as not to be perpetually misled ; but
as some were really Jesuits and some were not, among the
multitude whom Mr. Froude so calls, it is, to say the least,
confusing : and as the appearance of the word in Mr. Froude's
pages is the signal for an offensive attack, perhaps those who
really are Jesuits may not like it. For instance, the Order that
helped to keep the English Catholics patient through their
persecutions may think it hard that it should be said, "So for
ever sang the Jesuits," that "one brave shot or dagger-stroke""
would send "the carcase of Jezabel to the dogs," and would
write the name of the assassin " among the chivalry of Heaven."*
The College that was founded at Douay, and which was
removed there again after fifteen years spent at Rheims, was, it
is hardly necessary to say, in the hands of the English Secular
Clergy. In that Seminary it was that Gilbert Gifford " had been
ordained deacon, and had been reader of philosophy;" so that
there is no need to contradict the statement that " being a
good linguist, he had travelled on the business of the Order."
Travelling on this errand, according to Mr. Froude, he incident-
ally makes acquaintance with Morgan, Paget, and Throgmorton,
and was in no way connected with Walsingham until the late
spring or early summer of 1585.

^ History^ vol. xii., p. no. - Ibid.^ vol. xi,, p. 43. ^ Ibid., vol, x., p. 513.
^ Ibid.^ vol. xi., p. 395.

144 '^^^ Amias Poulet^

Again, we have seen that, in reference to Babington's con-
spiracy, Mr. Froude directly says that it does not "appear that
Gifford himself was even intrusted with the secret, or was more
than partially, accidentally, and externally connected with either
Babington or his accomplices." And his narrative of events
is skilfully contrived to justify this statement. But Blackwood
states^ that two years earlier Gifford was acting as Walsingham's
spy at Rheims, and had come twice to London to incite Savage
to regicide.- And both Morgan's correspondence and Chateau-
neuf's Memoir mark out Gifford as the prime mover in the plot.
For eight months before it was fully organized he had been
living in close intimacy with Morgan and the other refugees in
Paris. Gifford, Foley, and Phelippes were all in Paris during
the summer of 1585, insinuating themselves into the confidence
of Mary Stuart through Morgan. Walsingham's agents were
already associated with Babington,"' for letters from Morgan and
Paget of that date recommend the trio, Babington, Foley, and
Gifford, as persons able and willing to serve the Queen of Scots.
In December, 1585, Gifford returned to England, furnished with
ample recommendations to Mary from Morgan and from the
Archbishop of Glasgow."^ After presenting himself at the French
Embassy in London, he went straight to Phelippes' house,
where he lived during the month of January, ''practising secretly
among the Catholics," that is, insinuating himself into the con-
fidence of Babington and his friends, and opening Walsingham's
route of communication with Chartley. The secret packets for
Mary which, acting under Walsingham's directions, he obtained

^ Jebb, De vita et rebus gcstis Mar'uv, 1725, vol. ii., p. 281. " Led it
Gifford (comme il se verra ci-apres) etait un homme suscite par les seigneurs
du Conseil d'Angleterre pour perdre la Reine d'Escosse, comme par toutes les
cours de I'Europe ils ont des hommes, lesquels, sous ombre d'etre Catholiques,
leur servent d'espions, et n'y a College de Jcsuites, ni a Rome ni en France, cu
ils n'en trouvent qui disent tous les jours la messe pour se couvrir et mieux
servir a cette Princesse [Elizabeth] ; meme il y a beaucoup de pretres en
Angleterre toleres par elle pour pouvoir, par le moyen des confessions auri-
culaires, decouvrir les menees des Catholiques." C/idfcaiincit/'s Memoir,
Labanoff, tom. vi., p. 279.

^ Giflford's name appears in the indictment of Savage as having urged him
to assassinate Elizabeth. Howell's State Trials, vol. i., p. 11 20.

2 Labanoff, tom. vi., p. 213, 328.

* C/idteauneuJ^s Memoir, Labanoff, lorn, vi., p. 281.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 145

by fraud and falsehood from the French Ambassador, contained
nothing which could justify putting her to death ; the sufficient
"occasion" or "opportunity," as Poulet frankly calls it, had still
to be sought. Accordingly, during the spring and summer,
Gifford, in concert with Babington and Ballard, was actively
developing the conspiracy, crossing frequently to Paris, where
he associated himself with Morgan and Paget, and laid their
projects of revolt and regicide before Bernardino de Mendoza,
the Spanish Ambassador, who, smarting under his own expul-
sion from England, and resenting on his master's behalf the
action of the English Government in the Low Countries, lent
a ready ear. " A cette occasion," says Chateauneuf,^ " le dit de
Mendoza n'oublia rien de belles promesses, tant au dit Gifford
et a ceux qui etaient a Paris, qu' aux autres qui etaient en
Angleterre pour les y inciter, avec promesses d'une armee de
mer et de tous les moyens de son maitre." Of these facts
Mr, Froude, though he draws a good deal of material from
Chateauneuf's Memoir, takes no notice whatever.

Nor is this all. Chateauneuf's statements are confirmed in
full by a letter,^ of which Mr. Froude has made ample use, from
Mendoza to Phihp, August 13, 1586. In Mr. Froude's resume
of this despatch,'^ Ballard is represented as laying before Mendoza
the full details of a formidable conspiracy. He describes the
state of religion in England, and gives the particulars of the
strength of the Catholic party in the different counties, with a
roll-call of noblemen and gentry prepared to rise in revolt."* In
short, the envoy furnishes full information respecting a triple
conspiracy, including a plan for a general Catholic rising, a
scheme for Elizabeth's assassination, and proposals for a Spanish
invasion. So "Ballard told his story" to the Spaniard, who
heartily approves everything, particularly the plan of assassina-
tion. "Ballard's story" is pretty accurately repeated by Mr. Froude
from his authority, with one startling variation. He has from first

^ Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 287.

^ Simancas Archives, B 57, printed by Teulet, Histoirc de VEcossc au
XVI. Steele^ vol. iii., p. 423, Bannatyne Club edition.

^ Hist.^ vol. xii., p. 128.

* Among them appears " milord Gifford, persona de hedad, es padre del
gentilhombre que me ha venido a hablar."
K

146 Sir Amias Poulet,

to last substituted Ballard's name for that of Gifford in the origi-
nal. Mendoza opens his report by informing Philip that, some
months previously, "?/;/ derigo''^ had come over to acquaint him
with the Catholic movement in England,^ but that, the infor-
mation supplied being incomplete, he had answered only in
general terms, at the same time requiring further particulars.
In consequence, he reports, the Catholics had sent a second
envoy,^ a gentleman named Gifford, of good family, well accre-
dited, and furnished with ample instructions. Mendoza writes
in full confidence towards Gifford, or, as he more often styles
him, ^^ el ge?itilhombre,'' d.s will appear from the passage which
Mr. Froude has had the courage to reproduce and apply to
Ballard.^ So the letter proceeds. Throughout it is Gifford, not
Ballard, to whom the mission of the Catholic party is confided,
who unfolds the secrets of the confederacy and lays opens the
plan for regicide. It is Walsingham's agent whom Mendoza
unsuspectingly welcomes as the negotiator of proposals " so pro-
fitable in the interests both of religion and of the King of Spain."

The manner in which the plot was carried out by Gifford and
Phelippes is related by Mr. Froude with an inaccuracy that is
truly remarkable. " Phillipps came to reside at Chartley under
the pretence of assisting Paulet in the management of the
household." This continued residence of Phelippes is entirely
inconsistent with fact, and indeed the correspondence seems to
show that he only paid Chartley two short visits, the former at
Christmas, and therefore about the time of Mary's arrival, ending
in all probability, as we have seen, on the loth of January, the
other, in which the fatal work was done, beginning on the 14th
and ending on the 27 th of July.

"Every letter conveyed to the Queen of Scots and every
letter which she sent in return was examined and copied by him

^ Ballard is always so designated in Mendoza's letters.

2 Mendoza to Idiaquez, May 12, 1586. Simancas, B 57, n. 310; Teulet.

^ **Han me embiado los Catholicos un gentilhombre llamado Maistre
Gifford, de buena casa, con senas en su creencia."

'* Bisl.,\o\. xii., p. 130. The whole document, in which the Queen of
Scots is only slightly mentioned, will repay examination. Gifford had evidently
imposed grossly exaggerated statements upon Mendoza respecting the Catholic
party.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 147

before it was forwarded to its destination, and Morgan's intro-
duction of Gifford, which betrayed her into Walsingham's hands,
was the first on which he had to exercise his skill. Gifford
himself, too young and innocent looking, as he appeared to
Paulet, for so involved a transaction, had organized his own
share of it with a skill which Sir Amyas' blunter mind failed
at first to comprehend. Sir Amyas thought that his remuneration
from Walsingham ought to have contented him. Gifford, wiser
than he, knew that gratuitous services were suspicious. He
wrote to the Queen of Scots, saying that he was honoured in
being of use to her, but reminding her that he was risking his
life, and capitulating for a pension." The mind of Sir Amias
was not so blunt, and he too was conscious that gratuitous
services were suspicious, as he wrote to Walsingham, "I could
think that your friend's substitute at London should procure his
reward from this Queen, and if it be not sought at her hands she
shall have just cause to think ill of it."i

Mr. Froude gives the manner in which communications were
opened with Mary, from M. de Chateauneuf's Memoir. 2

It is thus told by him : " Gifford s'adressa k celui qui four-
nissait la biere pour la provision de la Reine ; laquelle, k la mode
d'Angleterre, se porte toutes les semaines, et ayant fait faire
un petit etui de bois creux, il mettait ses paquets dans le dit etui
bien ferm^ et les jetait dans un vaisseau de biere; lequel le
sommelier retirait et le baillait k Nau, qui, au prochain voyage du
charretier, rendait le vaisseau avec la reponse. Le dit fournisseur
de biere se tenait en une lieue de Ik, oii Ton allait querir les dites
lettres."

" At points between Burton and London," continues
Mr. Froude,^ " he had found Catholic gentlemen with whose
assistance the packets were transmitted. They were told no
more than that they contained letters of supreme importance to
the cause. One of them, who resided nearest to Burton, received
a bag weekly from the brewer, and carried it on to the next, by
whom it was again forwarded. So it was passed from hand to
hand to the Jesuit agency in London. The treachery was at

^ Vol. xviii., n. 22 ; infra. " Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 284.

3 Hist.y vol. xii., p. 117.
K 2

148 Sir Amias Potdet,

Chartley only. From the time that the letters left the brewer's
house they were tampered with no more. The London Jesuits
receiving them by their confidential channel, and little dreaming
that they were transcribed already, distributed them to their
ciphered addresses, and returned answers in the same way,
which again, after inspection by Phillipps, were deposited in
the cask."

The ensuing correspondence will show that there is not a
word of truth in this paragraph. The series of Catholic gentlemen
handing on a weekly post-bag from one country house to another,
had no existence; and there was no Jesuit agency in London
to act as a general post office.

It is true enough that Gifford told a falsehood to M. de
Chateauneuf, which has deceived not only him, but Mr. Froude.
*' Qu'entre Londres et Chartley, qui sont distants I'un de I'autre
environ de quarante lieues, il y avait deux maisons de gentils-
hommes Catholiques, ses amis ; que le plus proche de Chartley
enverrait toutes les semaines querir les lettres chez le faiseur de
biere, puis les enverrait chez I'autre gentilhomme plus proche de
Londres, lequel les enverrait a Londres, au logis du dit Sieur
Ambassadeur, par un des siens tantot vetu en serrurier, tantot en
crocheteur, tantot en menuisier, tantot en charretier, et ainsi en
diverses sortes."

This was Gifford's contrivance to prevent the French Ambas-
sador from making any inquiries into the character of the
messengers whom Gifford deputed in his absence to carry the
correspondence to and fro. Characteristically greedy scoundrels
as they all were, Gifford wound up, " partant, qu'il ne lui fallait
jamais faire paraitre que cela vint de la Reine d'Escosse, suffirait
k chaque voyage lui donner un angelot pour I'encourager k bien
faire." So they were to be paid by Walsingham, by Mary, and by
de Chateauneuf.

Gifford, in his letter to Walsingham of the nth of July, shows
us how completely the letters remained in their hands throughout.
"Barnes" (who is called by Poulet "the second messenger")
" hath not yet appeared in any of his frequented places, so that I
think he came not yet to town. I know not whether he hath
been with the Ambassador, for I dare not go thither till such time

Keeper of Mary Queejt of Scots. 149

as I bring the packet with me. I trust Mr. PheHppes will meet
the said packet by the way and peruse it, that it need no delay in
delivery." The packet in question was intercepted by Phelippes
on July 7 at Stilton, was carried by him back to Chartley, and
sent by Poulet to Walsingham with his letter of July 14, having
been first opened by him, and a letter withdrawn. Is this a
packet that from the time it left the brewer's house, was
''tampered with no more?"

There were no Catholic gentlemen employed here. Why
should there have been ? Provided only that the persons at the
two ends of the journey were unsuspected, what did it matter
who carried the letters ? Even Phelippes himself was the bearer
of a letter from Babington to Mary, the answer to which
is promised "at the return of the honest man." The letter
from Mary to Babington was delivered by one of Phelippes*
agents, probably by Barnes, as in writing to Walsingham on the
19th of July, Phelippes says, "If he be in the country, the
original will be conveyed into his hands, and like enough an
answer returned."

The treachery was not " at Chartley only." It was wherever
it was convenient for Phelippes to be. Nor is it true, as
Mr. Froude proceeds to say, that "six persons only were in
possession of the full secret : Elizabeth and Walsingham, by
whom the plot had been contrived, Gifford and the brewer
who were its instruments, Phillipps by whom the ciphers were
transcribed and read, and Paulet whom it had been found
necessary to trust. All the rest," he adds, "were puppets who
played their part at the young Jesuit's will." By "the young
Jesuit" Mr. Froude means Gifford, and it is in keeping that he
should have the management of the unconscious puppets who
made up "all the rest." But it was Sir Amias who engaged
"the substitute," who was one of the Earl of Leicester's men
found for Poulet by Mr. Bagot. Gifford called him his cousin,
but as we know no more of him, we are not bound to take the
relationship on Gifford's word. As to this cousin, Mr. Froude
makes him "an unconscious instrument in the ruin of the lady
whom he worshipped as his Queen." ^ It would have been more
^ Hist., vol. xii., p. 1 18.

150 Sir Amias Poulet,

dramatic no doubt had it been so, but it is not true. He was a
venal knave like the rest Poulet was required by Walsingham to
reward him, and proposed^ to give him five pounds, in addition
to whatever he could get from the Queen of Scots.

Gifford's falsehood to the French Ambassador gave Mr.
Froude two Catholic gentlemen, and he has swelled the little
invention into a series, who passed the packets from hand to
hand ; but the Jesuit agency in London to which they were
consigned is Mr. Froude's own fabrication. There were at this
time but three Jesuit Fathers in England, and of these two did
not arrive till Mary's correspondence was drawing to its close.
Edmund Campion and Thomas Cotham had been martyred;
Robert Persons, Jasper Haywood, and William Holt were on
the Continent ; William Weston, alias Edmonds, who had been
for some time the only Jesuit Priest in England, was apprehended
before Ballard,^ and most undoubtedly, if he could in any way
have been shown to have been implicated in Babington's plot
— and that any confidential messenger between Mary and
Babington would have been held to be — he, being in custody,
would have been put on his trial with the conspirators. Two
other Jesuit Fathers reached England in 1586, as Mr. Froude
will have learned from a letter of Morgan to Gifibrd, under the
names of Thomas Germyn to Nicholas Cornellys, July 3, 1586.^
"There are two Jesuits sent into England, both very young men.
Father Southwell and Father Garnet ; God prosper them and
their labours." Besides these there was a Lay -brother, Ralph
Emerson, shut up in the Counter in the Poultry. What pretext
can Mr. Froude possibly have for saying that any of these men
received the letters that Gifford and the other messengers from
Chartley brought to London ? If he has none, who were there
to constitute the "Jesuit agency in London?" Who were the
" London Jesuits " who " distributed the letters to their ciphered
addresses and returned answers in the same way ? "

However, the reader will be able to gather the true details
for himself of the manner in which Mary's secret communications
were carried on, as far as they are recorded in the correspondence
we proceed to give. Phelippes had taken his departure in the

^ Vol. xix., n. 7 ; infra, '^ Vol. xix,, n. 4. ' Vol. xviii., n. 31,

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 151

early part of January, 1586. On the i6th of that month, Mary
received the letter of introduction dated October /y, brought to
her from Morgan by Gifford. She answered it on the 17th
January, " conform to the ancient computation," that is, old
style, inclosing letters for the Duke of Guise and the Bishop of
Glasgow. Of Gifford she says, "I thank you heartily for this
bringer, whom I perceive very willing to acquit himself honestly
of his promise made to you, but, for such causes as presently
I will not write, I fear his danger of sudden discovery, my
keeper having settled such an exact and rigorous order in all
places where any of my people can go, as it is very strange if
they receive or deliver anything which he is not able to know
very soon after. "^

Gifford's return after taking this answer to London was
expected by Poulet when he wrote the following letter to
Phelippes. It is unnecessary to say that neither this nor any of
the subsequent letters relating to the secret communications
makes its appearance in Poulet's letter-book. We print them
from the holograph originals in the Public Record Office. The
reference in the first to Francis Bacon is noteworthy. Phelippes
was for years on familiar terms with Bacon. ^

Poidet to Phelippes?
Sir, — Your letters have been very welcome unto me,
and I take them as an earnest penny for more to come
hereafter, which shall receive like welcome. I find it
very strange to understand by your letters that Reynolds
should make suit to depart from me, having used him
in all this time of his service with many extraordinary
favours, such as I never showed the like to any man
that served me. And besides that I have trusted him
with all that hath passed from me, I have also loved
him very heartily. I will say no more but that in
lionesty and good manner he ought to have acquainted

^ Vol. xvii., n. 5 ; LabanofF, torn, vi., p. 254.

^ *' The Marquis of Worcester is desirous to be acquainted with Francis
JBacon by Phelippes' means." Dom. Eliz.^ vol. ccxliv., n. 103.
^ Vol. xvii., n. 13.

152 Sir Amias Poulet,

me with his meaning, and I know him and his disposi-
tion so well as I dare affirm that when he shall leave
my service he shall go out of God's blessing into a warm
sun, not doubting but that it w^ill be easy for me to
provide myself of some man as honest as he and as well
qualified. If you had asked me, I would have said that
he had loved me heartily and faithfully.

I look daily to hear from your friend.^ Let this suffice,.
I pray you, until some new occasion shall minister better
matter. And thus I commit you to the mercy of the
Highest, with my most hearty commendations, and the
like from my wife to yourself and our good friend,.
Mr. Francis Bacon.

Chartley, the 25th of January, 1585.

Your assured friend,

A. POULET.

To my very good friend, Mr. Thomas Phelippes,
attending on Mr. Secretary, at the Court.

Poulct to WalsingJiamr
Sir, — I received a letter from your friend the 3rd of
this present, by the which he prayed me to send a trusty
messenger unto him at a place appointed, which I did
with two or three words in writing, signifying by the
same that I had learned not to trust two where it sufficed
to trust one ; and therefore, although I had a very good
opinion of the messenger, yet I advised him to return his
mind in writing. Hereupon he thought good to repair
unto me in person, which he did late in the night, the
5th of this present, and then delivered unto me the two
packets and two letters sent herewith, showing me also
a cypher which he had received from Curie, but prayed
that it might remain with him because he was to advertise

^ *' Your friend" is Poulet's name for Gifford; the *' secret party " is Phelippes'..
^ Vol. xvii., n. 20.

Keeper of Mary Quee^t of Scots, 153

Curie of the receipt of the said packets, which he could
not do without the cypher.

He desired that these packets might be sent unto you
with speed, and that his father might be advised by
Mr. Phelippes to call him to London as soon as were
possible, to the end he might deliver these letters to the
French Ambassador in convenient time for the better
conservation of his credit that way.

He promiseth to do great service, affirming that he
hath good means to do it, and pretendeth to depend
wholly of your favour. He resolveth to leave a counter-
paper with the honest man at their next meeting for the
credit of any such as he shall hereafter send unto him,
with the like paper.

Being uncertain if you will command him anything
else touching this service before his return to London, he
hath instructed me where to find him.

I will hope the best of your friend, but I may not hide
from you that he doubled in his speech with me once or
twice, and [it] cannot be denied but that he received these
or other packets sooner than he confessed.

The honest man hath made many leaps abroad sithence
this matter was first made, and God knoweth if under the
cloak of this trifle greater treacheries may be contrived.

In my simple opinion you shall do well to assure
yourself of the honest man, which I may easily do, and
then besides that your friends doings will be the more
manifest, you shall also have the better mean to entertain
this intelligence.

It escaped your friend to tell me that the packet to
the French Ambassador had a cypher in it, but because
I had tripped him once or twice before, I thought good to
forbear to ask how he knew /it, doubting he might conceive
that I suspected him. He pretended to have showed me
all that he had received from this people, which being
true I cannot imagine how he should be informed of this

154 "^^'^ Amias Poulet,

cypher. It may please you to put him to the question,
letting him to know that I informed you of it.

And thus, leaving these things to your better con-
sideration, I commit you to the mercy and favour of
the Highest.

Chartley, the 6th of February, 1585.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

It may please you to give me leave to recommend my
brother to your good favour.

Addressed by Poidefs secretary in the usual form to
Sir Francis Walsingham^ and endorsed as usual.

Poulet to Walsinghain}

Sir, — Your letters of the 4th of this present came to
my hands the 8th of the same in the morning, being glad
to hear that your friend returneth hither, and indeed I do
not see how by any other mean your purpose could be
continued with surety.

Choice is made of a substitute of honest credit, good
wealth, good understanding, and servant to the Earl of
Leicester, from whom I look to hear hourly of the delivery
of the first packet according to the direction received from
you, and of a day to be appointed for their meeting again,
at which time the second packet shall also be delivered,
and then the third as time will permit, wherein I follow
your instructions.

The letters contained in this Queen's packet came from
Mauvissiere and his servant Mareshall to this Queen and
to Nau, with another letter from one Foster, a Scot, to one
of the gentlewomen here. There is no matter in these
letters worthy of advertisement, saving that Mauvissiere
writeth to this Queen that Claude Hamilton is returned

^ Harl. MSS., 285, f. 282.

Keeper of Mary Q^ieen of Scots. 155

into Scotland by the commandment of the King her son,
and that he is well affected to her service.

I thank you most heartily for your friendly advertise-
ments of the state of foreign parts, being sorry to hear
that our actions in the Low Countries are no better
backed at home, which will give no small comfort to
the enemy, and may prove dangerous to the general cause.

Your letters touching the recusants in this county
were delivered here the 8th of this present.

I think it meet that you hear from me sometimes, and
therefore have made this despatch to the end you may know
how far I am gone in the execution of your last letters.

I have been advertised from my brother of your
friendly favour and effectual dealing in his behalf at the
Council table, wherein I think myself greatly bound unto
you, and do thank you for it most heartily.

God increase your honour and health.

Chartley, the loth of March, 1585.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

Sithence the writing of the premises, I am advertised
that the honest man hath received the packet, and doth
like very well of the substitute, but in respect of his
private business, would not be persuaded to appoint the
day of their next meeting until the 20th of this month.

Addressed by Poulet's clerk — To the right honourable
Sir Francis Walsingham, knight, her Majesty's principal
Secretary.

Endorsed by Phelippes — 9 March, 1585. From Sir
Amias Poulet.

Phelippes to Walsingham?-

It may please your Honour, — The secret party was
with me this morning, and tells me that Cherelles prays
him in any case to stay until to-morrow at night, for that

^ Vol. xvii., n. 28 ; Cotton. MSS., Calig., C. ix., f. 219.

156 Sir Amias Poulet,

before that he hath talked with one Mr. Pierrepont again,
he cannot despatch him. But the Ambassador himself
hath been inquisitive of him for some apt mean to send
a packet into Scotland, which is some secret matter. I
thought good to send your honour word hereof, to the
end that if Foley be not in the way, w^hom it is likely
they will use, you may think of some other that may
deliver it, and the secret party shall demand the same.

If Foley receive it, I do not think but he will bring it
unto you. But you may try his good dealing at this time if
he be in these parts. For as appeared by Morgan's last,^ he
is recommended as a fit man for that convoy of Scotland.
Howbeit, it may be they would not be at so full a charge
as the express sending of a messenger. Foley I think may
be sent to the Ambassador by a sleight with some whisper-
ing intelligence what he will offer touching the convoy of
these letters, which if he commit it to Foley, you shall
either have it, and carried at their costs, or else know
Foley thoroughly, for my secret friend shall know what
becomes of it. If they do not commit it to Foley, it
may please you [to] consider how it may [be] conveyed
otherwise and give me direction, and my secret friend shall
accept it and call for the packet at your pleasure.

The mention hereof puts me in mind that Mr. Justice
Young said yesternight that he had a special spy about
the Ambassador, by whose direction he dealt with Aldred,
and I consider he may do the like with my secret friend,
which would be very prejudicial to the service. I told
him if he had commission from you to take that course
it was another matter, but if he had not, I said, without
your privity he might as soon do harm as good with his
spials. And further, that as I took it, you were not
curious to watch the Ambassador. " But they have been
careful," said he, " heretofore." I answered, the times

1 January 4-|> 1586, vol. xvii., n. 6; Murdin, p. 440. Cf. Labanoff,
torn. vL, p. 320.

Keeper of Mary Quee7i of Scots. 1 5 7

were altered, and perhaps his spy was known, wherefore
he were best to follow such order as you would prescribe.
For anything I find by your honour or him, he hath no
commission. If not, it may please you to limit him by
some peremptory speech, or he will mar all to have work.

And so I humbly take my leave of your honour.

London, this 19th of March, 1585.

Your honour's most humble at commandment,

Tho. Phelippes.

■ From these exciting topics we turn back to Poulet and his
Tnoney matters, as recorded in the letter-book.

To my Lord Treasurer, 7 Mar Hi, 1585.

My very good Lord, — Mr. William Agar hath made
payment to this Queen of 500/. in full satisfaction of 600/.,
-appointed to be paid by letters from Mr. Chancellor,
written to that purpose by direction from your lordship
at Christmas last or thereabouts. Also he hath [made]
payment to this Queen of six hundred and four score
pounds, which he received now lately of the French
Ambassador, and hath brought the same hither at your
lordship's commandment, as he hath affirmed to Nau,
who telleth me that this Queen thinketh herself greatly
beholden unto you therein.

Farther, the said Mr. Agar hath undertaken to furnish
this Queen yearly of 2,000/., to be received again by him
at London of the French Ambassador at two certain days
in the year to be agreed upon between them, so as your
lordship shall be no more troubled with any suit from
hence in that behalf.

I have received your lordship's letters touching the
tenement of Shulborowe, supposed to be in her Majesty's
hands, and desired by one of your lordship's servants,
the grant whereof shall be stayed until your lordship
shall advertise your pleasure. And thus, &c.

158 Sir Amias Poulet,

To my Lord Treasurer, eodein die.

My very good Lord, — It may please your lordship to
give me leave to pray your direction in a matter or two
which import her Majesty's profit and service very much.
Upon conference between Sir Ralph Sadler, then serving
in this place, and the Justices of Stafford and Derby, it
was agreed, the 20th of February, 1584, that certain sums
of money should be levied for the necessary charges of
wood and coal for one whole year for the governor and
household attending upon the Scottish Queen, vizt, in
the county of Stafford, four score and ten pounds, and in
the county of Derby, four score and ten pounds, which
upon due consideration of the proportion of wood and
coal requisite for the said service and of the short carriage
of the same by reason of nearness of the Queen's woods,
seemed to be reasonably rated. So as her Majesty was
charged only with 2d, for the carriage of every load of
wood, and with 6d. for the carriage of every load of coal.

It is so that the county of Stafford hath made full
payment of this contribution, as likewise the county of
Derby, saving in Skarsdale, where Mr. Leake refuseth
utterly to pay the portion assessed upon his limit, amount-
ing to 22/. I OJ., although Mr. John Manners, being likewise
rated, hath already made payment of 15/., and is ready
and willing to pay the residue, if Mr. Leake and his
neighbours will be content to do the like.

Mr. George Agar took upon this service at the
request of Sir Ralph Sadler, so as if he be not satisfied
of this money at Mr. Leake's hands, it is of necessity
that he must be recompensed by her Majesty's officers
here, which were an unnecessary charge to her Highness,
and unreasonable in my simple opinion. I have not
spared to ask this money by my sundry letters, and
now lately at the sessions holden sithence Christmas, I
wrote therein to the whole Bench, but have received no
answer from them, although I doubt not but that they

Keeper of Mary Quee^i of Scots. 159

have dealt earnestly with Mr. Leake herein. The whole
sum due by Mr. Leake and Mr. Manners amounts to
30/., of the payment whereof there is no stay but in
Mr. Leake. And now it may please your lordship to
consider if this money shall be paid by her Majesty or
by them.

The other matter wherein I desire your lordship's
direction is, that whereas during and being at Tutbury,
her Majesty was no farther charged with wood and coal
than as is before mentioned, sithence the coming of this
Queen hither, by reason of the far distance, the carriage
of every load of sea coal doth cost \os., every load of
charcoal 5.$"., and every load of wood 3^". 4^., besides the
making of the said sea coal, charcoal, and wood, which
falleth out weekly to so deep a sum by reason of the great
expence in this great household, which is also increased
by the occasion of this Queen's sickness, who now keepeth
four continual fires in her own lodging.

As I fear it will be nothing pleasing to her Majesty,
which I have thought to ease by some contribution for
the year to come, the last contribution being expired the
20th of February last past, and to that purpose wrote to
the Justices of the county of Stafford and Derby the
last sessions to such effect as may appear by this copy
inclosed.

The assembly of the Justices at Derby was very
slender at that time by reason of the great frost and
snow, promising by message to confer with their fellow
Justices, and return answer, whereof I have as yet received
none, and therefore do presume that they will do nothing.

From the Justices of Stafford I have received answer
that they are willing to contribute as they did last year,
praying earnestly to be pressed no further, in respect that
the country is charged this year many ways very deeply,
as they affirm. This contribution of four score and ten
pounds by the year is far behind the yearly charge of the

i6o Sir Amias Potclet,

carriage of the year to come, which by the estimation
made this last year by Sir Ralph Sadler will amount, as
the carriages are now rated, to the sum of 333/. 18-$-. 3^.
at the least.

This house is not so near bordering upon Derbyshire
as was the Castle of Tutbury, and therefore I doubt how
that she will be persuaded to yield to any contribution.
If her Majesty will not be content to bear this heavy
charge of wood and coal, how her Highness may be
relieved therein, I refer it to your lordship's better
consideration.

The necessity of this household is so great, as I have
chosen rather to send for the money remaining yet at
London of the 1,000/. granted by Privy Seal and to abide
the adventure of the carriage than to forbear it with
discredit to myself and hindrance to her Majesty's service,
and therefore have despatched this bearer, my servant
John Cade, expressly for that purpose, praying your
lordship to take order that the said money may be
delivered unto him, whose acquittance for the receipt
thereof shall be a charge unto me as far forth as if I
had received it myself The man is of honest credit and
sufficient substance to answer a greater sum of money
than this cometh ^unto.

Having compared the state of this household with our
present store of money and with that which is likely to
accrue unto us by the demesnes of Burton, the tithing
corn belonging to the same, and the herbage of the Lord
Paget's three parks, with the profits of the iron mills,
which, as is affirmed by the ministers, will not exceed the
sum of 500/. this year, I have thought good most humbly
to pray your lordship that Mr. Darrell may be commanded
to make his repair to the Court, there to yield his account
for this year past, which is wholly within his charge,
although two months thereof were spent before my
coming, trusting that upon the yielding of his accounts

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 1 6 1

and due consideration had thereof, order will be taken,
the rather by your lordship's good mean, that her
Majesty's master of household here may have some
money always in store, and not be indebted as he hath
been continually sithence my coming hither, with slander
to this household and loss to her Majesty. There is
owing to me at this present 500/., Mr. Darrell being not
able to make payment of any part thereof.
And thus, &c.

Poulet speaks out plainly his indignation at the shabby way in
which he, in common with all Elizabeth's servants, was treated.
Her closeness was such that the most necessary sums had to be
wrung from her.

The three following letters are not to be found in the State
Papers.

To Sir Francis Waisingham, 12 Mar Hi, 1585.

Sir, — Curie repaired unto me the nth of this present,
to pray me to provide a more sufficient merchant to
furnish this Queen and her family with woollen cloth,
linen cloth, and such other mercers' wares as they have
occasion to use, alleging that the merchant of Stafford
appointed to that purpose was not able to serve their turn
for want of stuff fit for them, and that the Queen his
mistress was now to make provision, after her accustomed
manner, of [blank] woollen cloth and linen cloth to be
given to the poor on Maundy Thursday, which this
merchant of Stafford could not furnish. I told him that
I was very glad that he had acquainted me thus far with
his mistress' intent, because this matter was strange to
me, but did remember that the French Ambassador wrote
not long sithence to this Queen, that he would not fail,
according to her instructions, to move her Majesty touching
her alms, so as it was likely she should hear from him
shortly therein. He answered that she might perchance
have written to the French Ambassador touching her alms
in general, but knows that she made no doubt of her

i62 Sir A^nias Poulet,

liberty on this point, as a matter which hath not been
denied unto [her] sithence her coming into England. I told
him that the question of her alms in general was decided
by her Majesty the last summer to his mistress' good
satisfaction, and therefore I had cause to think that her
late advertisement to the French Ambassador concerned
her Maundy, which he insisted to deny, concluding that
the Queen his mistress would think herself very hardly
used if she should* be restrained herein. I prayed him to
tell me of the manner of the last year's Maundy. He
said that forty-two young maidens had every of them
a yard and a half of woollen cloth, two yards of linen
cloth, and i^d. in money, and eighteen little boys, wherein
she had respect to her son, had also every of them a yard
and a half of woollen cloth, two yards of linen cloth, and
I'^d. in money, and that on Good Friday she bestowed
6/. among the elder sort of the poor of Tutbury town. I
find that the Priest was the chief minister in this distri-
bution, and that he went from house to house and made
choice of all this poor company at his discretion. It is my
mariner to walk in the broad highway, and therefore it
may please you to give me your direction herein. If you
shall think good to continue this custom, it seemeth meet
that the choice [of] poor folks be made by the constable
and other officers of the next parishes adjoining, and that
the money be distributed by them. Phillipps, the carrier,
of [blank], bringeth these letters unto you, who will return
in time convenient for your answer herein, if it shall
so please you.
And thus, &c.

Although you have, perchance, no opinion that among
the great matters here in question between us and our
neighbours, they will vouchsafe so much as to think upon
the little Isle of Jersey, yet it may please you to be a
mean that the poor isles m.ay be remembered as time and

Keeper of Mary Qicee^i of Scots. 1 6

J

occasion shall require. My son writeth unto me that
the drum is stricken up in all the towns of Normandy,
and that Monsieur Brisac prepareth to go to the sea. The
carrier hath broken his day, wherewith the Scottish people
are not pleased, who look for many things from thence ;
but no doubt he will be there very shortly. This letter
Cometh now unto you by one of my brother's servants.

In the next he shows that the royal " parsimony " is still on
his mind. In this case it is "in matters of State" and not
of household expense. Under the terms concluded between
Elizabeth and James, he was to have had live thousand pounds'
a year, and Elizabeth would not give him more than four
thousand, which made him very angry. Poulet was of courae
anxious that James should be secured to Elizabeth's interest.

To Sir F. Walsingham, 22 Marlii, 1585.

Sir, — I have been much troubled of late with a cold,,
which I had taken in such extremity as I have been sick
with it divers days, and after cast into an ague, but am
now in some towardness of recovery. I thank God for it.

I thank you most heartily for the copy of Mr.
Randolph's letter,^ beseeching God to give success to his
travail there, whereof there will be no doubt, if we could
be removed from our old error of parsimony, a dangerous
fault in matters of State, the nature whereof, not unlike to
a canker, is plausible enough in his beginning, but payeth
surely at the last.

It seemeth that Claude Hamilton is very liberal of his
friendship (such as it is), which you can remember he hath
offered with many words to this Queen by his sundry
letters.^

^ Randolph was Elizabeth's Ambassador to Scotland.

^ Mary wrote to Lord Claude Hamilton, apparently in July (Vol. xviii.,
n. 27 ; Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 371) ; but she does not acknowledge the receipt
of any letters from him. Amongst the State Papers there are two of much
earlier date, from Paris, July 16 and October 8, 1585 (Vol. xvi., nn. 13, 52),
and one written long after this time, August 10, 1586 (Vol. xix., n. 31).
L 2

164 Sir Aniias Pozilety

This Queen having kept her chamber nine or ten
weeks is now deHvered of her pain and grief, but not yet
able to go or stand, wherewith she is greatly perplexed.
Our Scottish churches do now grow to some perfection,
first by marrying, and now by christening of Bastian's
young child, whose wife was delivered very lately.

As knoweth, &c.

To Sir Fra?icis Wahinghavi, 28 Martii^ 1586.

Sir, — You may see by the great packet sent herewith,
that this Queen and her people are at good leisure.
Having no other cause of this despatch at this time, it
may please you to do me the favour to command one of
your servants to deliver these letters inclosed to my
Lord Norreys, or to my lady his wife. I trust you have
received my letters of the 22nd of this present.

And thus, &c.

Your letters of the 24th of this present came to my
hand this last evening, the contents whereof shall be
performed in the best sort I may. I thank you heartily
for your French and Scottish advertisements.

We here intercalate a holograph letter"^ from the Record
Office from Poulet to Phelippes. "Your friend" is Gilbert
Gifford, and Poulet has by this time got over his suspicions of
his fidelity.

Chateauneuf says that Gifford came to England in
December, 1585, and spent all the month of January prac-
tising secretly with the Catholics who were favourable to the
Queen of Scots, coming from time to time to the Ambassador's
house to speak with his secretary, Cordaillot;^ and that

^ Vol. xvii. n. 45.

^ " L'ambassadeur de France avait entre les secretaires un nomme
Cordaillot, auquel il avait donne la charge des affaires de la Reine d'Escosse,
et celles de ces pauvres Catholiques Anglais refugies, pour recevoir leurs
lettres, les faire tenir et leur en envoyer la reponse, avec I'argent que leurs
parens et amis leur fournissaient " {Chateauueiif^s Memoirs^ Labanoff,
torn, vi., p. 281).

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 165

when at last he was on his way to Chartley the Ambassador
gave him a letter to the Queen written in the cipher with
which she used to communicate with his predecessor, De
Mauvissiere. Chateauneuf is wrong in saying that GifFord
spent all January in London, for it was on the i6th that Mary
received Morgan's first letter, and she answered it on the follow-
ing day. Her first letter to Chateauneuf was sent by some other
channel, " par aultre voye," as she calls it. Her object was to
send him a new cipher. On the 31st of January she re-wrote
her former letter, and inclosed it in another which she intrusted
to Gifford. It contained this request, " envoyez-moi par ce
porteur, tous les paquetz que vous et Cherelles avez entre les
mains pour moi, les enferment en une petite boite ou sac de
cuir fort." This letter was not deUvered at the French Embassy
till the ist of March, N.S. On the 5 th of February Gifford
placed the packet in Poulet's hands, desiring that it might be
sent to Walsingham "with speed," that it might be delivered
to the French Ambassador " in convenient time ; " and yet for
a fortnight it was retained in Walsingham's office for Phelippes'
manipulation of the ciphers. There were, Chateauneuf tells
us, letters inclosed to be forwarded to the Archbishop of
Glasgow, Mary's Ambassador in France.

In consequence of the request of the Qaeen of Scots,
Chateauneuf handed over to Gifford the packets which had
been accumulating for two years ; and as Gifford said they were
too bulky, the packets were opened by him and Cordaillot and
made up into smaller bundles,^ "pour les faire tenir plus aisement
et \ diverses fois, ainsi que disait le dit Gifford ;" the fact being
that it was impossible for Phelippes to decipher so many at a
time. Gifford told Chateauneuf that as soon as he had sent
these letters to Mary, it was his intention to return to France
to inform her friends there of what had been done. It is not
easy to say whether he really went. On the 23rd of March,
Mary received Chateauneuf's letter of the 6th, with five other

^ Mary complained, at the result of the covers being taken off her
packets. *' Je ne pourroy bien sou vent S9avoir les voyes et addresses par qui
ilz me seront envoyez et a qui j'en devroys envoyer la response." Labanoff,
torn, vi., p. 342.

1 66 Sir Amias Poulet,

letters, "tant en chiffre que paquetz." Various packets were
carried by the substitute, who reached Chartley with them on
the loth. The first was dehvered at once. What it contained
we do not know. The second was Chateauneuf s. The con-
sequence of its receipt was "the great packet" sent by Poulet
to Walsingham on the 28th of March. All that we know
of its contents is that there was a letter^ from Mary to
Chateauneuf, and a letter- also from Nau to Cherelles, in-
closing letters and a cipher. The third packet Poulet promised
should be delivered " as time will permit, wherein I follow your
instructions." So that Walsingham regulated even the order
in which the letters were to reach Mary's hands.

Phelippes, as we learn from the following letter, forwarded the
next batch within a week, within which time Gifford, who had
been detained in London by Che'relles till the 20th, but was now
at Chartley, had promised Mary a further delivery. The rest
came dropping in all through the month of April. On the 20th
she received a letter from the Bishop of Ross, two from Tiggons^
and two from the Spanish Ambassador in Paris, Mendoza. On
the 23rd one from D'Esneval; on the 25th two from Father
Persons, and two from Father Holt; and in the course of
the month five from the Archbishop of Glasgow, two from Sir
Francis Englefield, two from Fuljambe, five from Charles Paget,
"with an infinite number of other letters in cipher," as she
says ; and " at divers times, but almost all at once," eight
from Morgan. The deciphering of this mass of letters took
so long a time, that when she came to answer Morgan on the
20th of May, she had only yet been able to have three out of
Morgan's eight deciphered for her. As Mary's letters of the 20th
of May were ready for despatch, she received one more from
Paget and four others from Morgan. Gifibrd did not remain
all this time at Chartley. Towards the end of March, says-
Chateauneuf — it must really have been the middle of April —
he went over into France, and made two or three voyages ta
and fro without remaining long at a time either in Paris or
London, up to the end of July. Here we may leave him for
the present.

^ Vol. xvii., n. 36; Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 261. ^ Vol. xvii,, n. 39.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 167

But the evidence aftbrded by these dates is the confutation
of an important theory of Mr. Froude's. He very elaborately
maintains 1 that access to Mary's secret correspondence was the
only means by which Walsingham could acquire really trust-
worthy information. "There was one way, and only one, by
which all these questions could be answered. The Queen of
Scots must be again enabled to open a correspondence which
she and her friends could believe to be perfectly safe, and
her letters and theirs must be passed through the hands of
Walsingham.". . . "One letter or one packet would not be
enough. What Walsingham wanted was a sustained, varied
correspondence with many persons, protracted for an indefinite
time — with the Pope, with Philip, with her son, with the Arch-
bishop of Glasgow, with Guise, Mendoza, and the English
refugees." ..." The first prize was an accumulation of ciphers
from Morgan, Paget, Pere la Rue, and the Archbishop of
Glasgow, which had been lying at the French Embassy unfor-
warded for want of opportunity." Such is Mr. Froude's theory,
and it is intended for a defence of Walsingham's plot on the
plea of political necessity. But it will not bear comparison with
the facts. Elizabeth's Minister had brought his spy system to
such high perfection, and letters were so frequently intercepted,
or drawn by treachery from their unconscious writers, that
Walsingham was in possession of the fullest information. The
secret correspondence of the King of Spain and of Mendoza
found its way into the Secretary's office;^ the French Ambas-
sador's letters were intercepted v' and if such sources of
information were not sufficiently regular, in addition to the
reports of numberless spies, Phelippes carried on for years a
systematic correspondence himself, in the name of an imaginary
person, with Hugh Owen, the agent of Philip's Government,*
and by Barnes and others with Charles Paget at Paris, while
offers from treacherous or pretended Catholics are not wanting
to maintain similar intercourse with leading Catholics on the

^ History, vol. xii., pp. io6, io8, 120.

= CotionMSS., Calig,, C. ix., f. 568.

^ Vol. xix., n. 80 ; Dojn. Eliz., vol. cxcvii., n. ii.

* Dom. James I. , vol. xx, , n, 5 7.

1 68 Sir Amias Pom let,

Continent for Walsingham's information.^ As for Mary herself,
not only had her secret correspondence through the French
Ambassador been regularly sold to Walsingham by Cherelles, but
her action in Scottish affairs and the whole State policy of her
son were systematically betrayed through the Master of Gray, the
notorious Archibald Douglas, and the less conspicuous traitor,
Fowler. Walsingham had at will, therefore, precisely what
Mr. Froude maintains he contrived the plot solely to obtain,
"a sustained, varied correspondence with many persons, pro-
tracted for an indefinite time."

Now, with such facts before us, we find with no surprise
that Walsingham, holding in his hands an order from Mar)^,
the delivery of which would have made him the possessor
of " the first prize," by which " the very inmost secrets of
the Cathohc confederacy were to be open for his inspection,"
allowed a fortnight pass without making any use of the talisman
he held. Let it be understood that he knew quite well that
her letters would not furnish evidence on which she could be
condemned, that the Babington conspiracy was not yet matured,
and that his main object was to implicate Mary in some way
that might serve as a pretext for her death, and there is no
difficulty in the fact that the perusal of her correspondence was
a matter of secondary importance to Walsingham.

^ Thomas Rogers [alias Nicholas Berden) to Walsingham, March, 1586.
States the names of parties abroad by whom he was procured to come home,
viz., Chai-les Paget, Charles Arundell, Stephen Brynkley, Godfrey Foulgiam,
and Thomas Fitzharberd, to receive and deliver their letters, and to transmit
intelligence to them from England. States the purport of the letters in his
portmanteau. The designs of Spain. Proposes a system of secret correspon-
dence with the above parties. From Paget he should receive letters from the
lord his brother, Throgmorton, and others ; from Arundell letters of Sir Francis
Englefyld ; from Brynkley the whole affairs of Allen and Parsons ; from Foul-
giam the affairs of the Queen of Scots, and from Fitzharberd the devices of the
Queen Mother. Proposes to keep up an entire correspondence with all the
parties, for the avowed purpose of communicating it to Walsingham. Endorsed
by Phdippes — "From Berden to Mr. Secretary Walsingham, the accompt of his
employment putt uppon him by them beyond the sea." [There can be little
doubt this important communication was the basis of the secret intelligence
which enabled Walsingham to counteract the designs of Spain, resulting in
the destruction of the Spanish Armada. JMr. Lemon'' s note in the Calendar. \
{Dom. Eliz., vol, clxxxvii., n. 81.)

Keeper of Mary Qtieen of Scots. 1 69

Poulet to Phelippes.

Sir, — Your letters arrived here jump with the time
appointed between your friend and me, whereof he was
not a little glad for his credit sake with his friends of
this country. I am very well persuaded of the fidelity
of the man. The fruit proveth the goodness of the tree.
You shall hear of some further matter by Mr. Secretary.
Your friend hath prayed me to convey this letter inclosed
unto you. Your friendly letters increase my debt more
and more, which shall be acquitted as soon as I may.
In this meantime accept my goodwill, I pray you. God
bless your labours.

From Chartley, the ist of April, 1586.

Your assured friend,

A. Poulet.

The next letter relates to "our intended Maundy." Its
-angry conclusion is ominous. Later on, Poulet gives still more
vehement expression to his wish to live so long as to see
Mary's "damnable Popish wickedness" plucked up by the roots.
The letter is in the Record Office, ^ but in the Calendar it is
misdated April i.

To Sir Francis Walsingham, lo Aprilis, 1586.
Sir, — It fell out very happily that the merchant was
not yet come with the cloth and linen for our intended
Maundy, when your letters to that purpose of the 24th
of the last were delivered the 27th of the same. Where-
upon I sent for Curie, who is the only merchant and dealer
in such things, and declared unto him that according to
the former speech between him and me, I had advertised
his mistress' determination touching her Maundy, but
had received no answer for my warrant therein, which
perchance I might do before the day of that ceremony,
whereof I thought good to give him to understand, to the
end he might forbear to provide the cloth and linen for

^ Vol. xvii., n. 46.

170 Sir Amias Poulet^

that purpose, or at the least, to indent with the merchant
to take his ware again, in case I received no direction from
you in convenient time.

Curie said he knew his mistress would not fail to
provide the cloth and linen, and if she did not bestow it
this way, she would employ it to some other use. I told
him that for my discharge in honesty towards his mistress,
I thought good to give him this advertisement, referring
her for the rest to her own consideration. The 30th of
the last. Curie cometh unto me to know if I had received
any direction touching the Maundy. I told him that I
had heard from you the day next before, as indeed I had
by Mr. Phelippes, but without any mention of the matter
in question. It is no innovation, saith he, that is desired,
but only their continuance of the former course, which I
might allow without any further warrant. I prayed him to
consider that the matter v/as new to me, and that I might
not permit it without special direction, and the less
because I had prayed satisfaction therein. He answered
that his mistress would think herself very hardly used, and
that the denial hereof tended to no other end than to
deprive her of all regal dignity, as he called it. I wished
him to give it a more reasonable interpretation, and to
impute it to your vast charge in this busy time, wherein
matters of greater weight are forgotten sometimes. He
insisted to persuade me with many words, and with proffer
of new conditions, to satisfy his mistress' request, which I
refused, and so we departed in more quiet than I expected.
Immediately after the departure of Curie from me, the
broadcloths provided for this Maundy were carried
through the hall to this Queen's chamber, and the same
brought back again in remnants, as it should have served
if the Maundy had holden.^ Cherelles hath sent to this

^ In the "inventory of the jewels, &c., found in the custody of the several
servants of the late Queen of vScots," there appears "Certain cloth bought at
Chartley for her intended Maundy," in the custody of Robert Mooreton, one
of the tailors of her wardrobe (Vol. xxi., n. 20, I. ; Labanoff, torn, vii., p. 272).

Keeper of Mary Quee7i of Scots. 171

Queen by the carrier, by your permission, as he writeth, a
box full of abominable trash, as beads of all sort, pictures
in silk of all sorts, with some Agnus Dei, &c. I was far
more willing to have burnt it than to permit it to be
delivered. I am a near neighbour to much damnable
wickedness, trusting to live so long to see it plucked up
by the roots.
And thus, &c.

On the following day Poulet wrote the same letter both to
Burghley and Walsingham,^ respecting his expenses.

To my Lord Treasure)', nth of April, 1586.
My very good Lord, — Mr. Darrell cometh herewith
unto your lordship to account with your lordship for the
household defrayments here from the time of my first
entrance into this service. And although the expenses
shall appear to be great, yet when the occasions moving the
same shall be duly considered, I trust both he and I shall
be excused, wherein I make mention of myself, not that
I think that I am any way answerable for the same, but
that I can be content to join with Mr. Darrell herein,
because he hath acquainted me with all his doings from
time to time, and hath used my poor advice upon all
occasions occurring. For myself, I may affirm that I
have always wanted of the number of the men and
horses allowed unto mc. I have taken away all kind
of fees from all the officers of this household, which
amounted to a round sum by the year. I have cut off
some unnecessary officers, and thereby saved both their
diet and their wages. The diet for her Majesty's family
here hath been very temperate. This Queen before my
coming and some time, after, had upon the fish days twenty-
four dishes at every meal for her whole family, which I
reduced to twenty. Finally, I may say truly, and I say it

■^ Vol. xvii., n. 48.

172

Sir Aniias Poulet,

before God, that I have had as great care to moderate
her Majesty's charge as if the money had issued out of my
own purse, and have made it a matter of consideration to
myself to avoid all spoils and wilful wastes.

Touching Mr. Darrell, I must confess that I have been
an eye-witness of his painful and diligent service, and do
verily believe that his dealing hath been just and faithful.
The occasion moving the large expense may partly appear
by this bill inclosed,^ but your lordship shall be best

^ A conference between the prices paid for victuals at the beginning of this
year at Tutbury, and the prices nozo paid at C hartley in this motith of April.

Wheat of great measure

Beer

Ale

Gascon wine

Sack

Beef

Mutton

Veal

Lamb

Pork

Lard

Pigs

Capons

Chickens

Pigeons

Hay

Oats

Poultry N

Freshwater fish f
Sea fish (

Spices .)

Tutbury.
2s. 6d. bush.
33J. 4^. tun.
'jd. gall.
14/. tun.
11/. butt.
3/. I2d. care.
4J. 6d. c.
6s. $d. c.
2s. 6d. c.
8j-. pec.
6d. lb.
8^. pec.
14^. pec.
2d. pec.
i6d. doz.
6s. 8d. carr.
6s. qrtr.

Chartley.
6s. bush.
4ar. tun.
lod. gall.
18/. I OS. tun.
13/. 6s. Sd. butt.
5/. I2d. care.
7 J. care.
gs. c.
3s. gd. c.
gs. pec.
Sd. lb.
i^d. pec.
iSd. pec.
2d. ob. pec.
22d. doz.
\os. carr.
gs. a^d. carr.

increased exceedingly.

(Vol. xvii., n. 48, L).

Certain abridgments used in hotisehold causes at Tutbury Castle and Chartley^
for bringing down of the household charges there, since the government of Sir
Amias Poulet.

First there was abridged from the Governor's servants sitting in the hall
two livery messes of meat before served.

The diet of this Queen's laundresses is now furnished out of their general
proportion, and so the charges of it clearly saved to her Majesty.

All fees that may be used in any service are generally taken away. And
the ordinary messes, as well of the Governor's own table as the rest, are now
furnished with them instead of other dishes of charge.

The two messes of meat served to the steward and porters are now less
than before by eight dishes every day.

Keeper of Mary Qtieen of Scots, 173

informed therein by the report of the said bearer. The
continual want of money hath been prejudicial to this
service, and it may be affirmed that a store of money
beforehand would be profitable to her Majesty. I received
at London 1,000/. for this service, v/hich were spent
before my coming hither, so as I found this household
in debt to the sum of 24/., and it is very true that
Mr. Darrell hath been indebted to the purveyors con-
tinually from week to week sithence my coming hither,
which is neither ho[nourable] nor profitable to her Majesty.
It may please your lordship to be a mean to her Majesty
that this household may be better provided of money
hereafter, and that we may be always assured of a new
supply before the old store be spent.

Poulet then says that Mary's servants are unreasonable
in their complaints, and begs that Mr. Darrell may be sent back
again, as "it is no small advantage to the Governor here to
have a master of household that is sound in religion and upright
in duty towards our Queen his mistress, and will not be
carried away with the flattery of this people." He asks Lord
Burghley's help "for the trial pf her Majesty's title to certain
lands granted unto me by her Highness among other things for

The dishes of most kinds of meat are much less now than before.
There is saved in wages by the discharging of divers household ministers,
by estimation about 30/. per aim.

Certain causes 0/ surcharge, more now than in times past.

The general increase of prices in all kinds of provisions, as may appear
by the particularities written on the other side.

The loss, as well of hay as of grass, by reason of the great floods which
were this summer, both in the grounds reserved at Burton, as in certain other
grounds hired about Tutbury.

The charges of fuel much increased to her Majesty by reason of the great
prices paid for carriage thereof at Chartley, which could not be avoided,
because the contribution made by Sir Ralph wSadler was not expired before
the 20th of February.

The charge of the remove, as well in carriages as in preparations at
Chartley, and other losses growing by that occasion.

The continual want of money, so as nothing could be provided beforehand,
whereby much money might have been saved in this time of dearth (Vol. xvii.,
n. 49).

T74 ^^'^ Ainias Pomety

the term of forty years." And in a postscript to Walsingham he
returns to the linen, "because this Queen occupieth her best
linen of damask work every day," and winds up with the contents
of Mary's packet of letters.

In the next letter some of Lord Paget's Catholic servants get
into trouble.

To Sir F. Walsingham, 17 Apr His, 1586.

Sir, — Yesterday Mr. Richard Bagot cometh hither to
me, requested thereunto by the Dean [of] Lichfield and
others the Justices and officers of that city, to acquaint
me with the examination taken by them of a convicted
prisoner remaining in the gaol there, who accuseth Ensor
and Bold, late servants to the Lord Paget, of some things
to have been done by them against her Majesty's Crown
and State. This examination was not signed by the
Justices and officers when it came to my hands, as also the
same had been taken nine days before, and therefore I
returned it unto them, advising them by Mr. Bagot to
discharge their duties in giving you advertisement thereof,
and notwithstanding, for my better discharge, have thought
good to give you to understand of my knowledge herein,
which I do the rather because these men are accused to
have been employed in bad offices for this Queen under
my charge. I leave the accuser and the parties accused to
their trial. But it is too true that divers of the better
calling of the late servants of the Lord Paget's are ill
affected in religion, come seldom to the church, and that
for fashion's sake only, and come not to the communion
at all.

And thus, &c.

To my Lord Admiral , y° Aprilis, 1586.

My very good Lord, — This tickle and dangerous time

will give me occasion to send often to Jersey with speed

and upon short warning ; to which purpose it shall be

meet for me to be always assured of ready passage. I

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. i 75

shall therefore most humbly pray your lordship to give me
your warrant for a barque called " the Edward," of the
burthen of twenty tons, belonging to the port of Lyme,
where Edward Lymberye, owner of the said barque,
dwelleth, and that by virtue of your lordship's said
warrant, the said barque, being discharged of all arrests
and other services, may be always in readiness to be
employed by my direction for her Majesty's service for
Jersey upon all occasions occurring.

This small barque is fitter for this purpose than a ship
of greater burthen, the owner and master of the said ship
having haunted those isles many years, and therefore well
acquainted with those coasts. I presume of the con-
tinuance of your lordship's good favour towards me, which
I will be always ready and willing to deserve in that I
may ; and therefore do trust that your lordship will not
refuse me in this small suit, tending to the furtherance of
her Majesty's service, without any private benefit to myself.

And thus, &c.

Two letters addressed to Walsingham on the 25th April and
the 5th of May are among the State Papers.^ Of these the first
begins thus, " Having not seen this Queen sithence the departure
of Cherelles, which I impute either to her great writing business,
or that she would not discover her lameness, she prayed me the
21st of this present, after noon, to repair unto her, whom I
found sitting upon the side of her bed, and not yet able to
use her feet."

Mary complained of Elizabeth's delay in not receiving the
French Ambassador, M. de Chateauneuf, the successor of M. de
Mauvissiere, "which she thought to be delayed of purpose to
hinder her causes. I told her that the French Ambassador, by
his last letters unto her, was better satisfied herein, acknowledging
that the deferring of his audience had no other ground than her
Majesty's indisposition by reason of a rheum. ' Yea,' saith she,
Mhis was an excuse to delay the audience.' 'What can her
^ Vol. xvii., nn. 57, 62.

176 Sir Amias Poitlet,

Majesty,' quoth I, ' win or lose thereby, when of ordinaty course
the audience cannot be denied any long time ? ' She answered
that perchance her Majesty would not be willing to hear of the
French causes at this time, finding the King to be resolute in
this action. I said that I thought her Highness would be the
more willing to hear the French Ambassador, as her best mean
to be truly informed of his master's disposition towards her son.
Other speeches passed between her and me touching the French
troubles, wherein we differ in opinion very much, and I have
many times heretofore delivered my mind so plainly unto her
in the like causes as she taketh no great pleasure to confer
with me therein. She insisted so slenderly upon all these
things as I might well perceive the cause of her sending for
me was yet behind, as indeed it was."

The subject Mary had in her mind was Bessie Pierrepont,
the niece of Henry Cavendish, now seventeen years old, who
had " been with her from her infancy, and in all this time used
no other bed or board than her own," but who she thought ought
now to leave her. The name of this young lady occurs frequently
in the subsequent corespondence. On the 13th of June^ her
father sent some of his servants to conduct his daughter to him
at Holbeck Woodhouse, but the Queen was then unwilling to
let her go. Elizabeth expressed her surprise at this change in
a letter to Sir Amias,- which however is endorsed " Not sent."
At the end of July,^ Mary renews her request through the French
Ambassador. Poulet was puzzled at the wish,^ and advised that
she should be removed suddenly. The fact is that Nau, the
Queen's Secretary, was in love with the young lady,^ and was
prosecuting his suit with her father through Cherelles. Mary
did not approve, and thought that she would be safest under
her father's roof,^ "pour plusieurs respects, mesmement pour

^ Vol. xviii., n. 7.

" Ibid, n. 26.

^ Vol. xix,, n. 15.

* Vol. xviii., n. 3.

^ Vol. xvii., nn. 27, 34, 35; vol. xxi,, n. 17.

® "Se traitait le dit mariage secretement entre le dit Nau et la dite fille,
centre la volonte de la Reine d'Escosse leur maitresse " {Clidteauneiif s Memoir
Labanofif, torn, vi., p. 283).

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 177

rayson de sa grande mere," ^ the Countess of Shrewsbury ;
though when the time came for her removal the Queen found
it difficult to part with her, for " she could not deny that she
loved the young gentlewoman very well, and if it might stand
with her benefit would be glad of her continuance with her all
the days of her life." Poulet suspected that Nau desired to
marry the young lady, and says of it, " The invention is so gross
in my simple opinion as they are likely to be taken in their own
snare." Mary speaks openly about her in her last letter to
Morgan.2 "Show me what you do mean in your last by
advising me to ask Sir Gervase Clifton's consent in bestowing
of Bess Pierrepont, whom I have never sought to bestow in
marriage on any, neither before nor since I caused the same to
be propounded, at the Countess of Shrewsbury's solicitation, and
by her means to the Lord Percy, now Earl of Northumberland,
whereof I think you have heard, nor have had any intention for
any other, but rather contrariwise have suited by the Queen of
England's licence this half year and more to be rid of her, by
reason she is now at her best, brought up my bedfellow and
lit board, ever sithence she had four years of age, so carefully
and virtuously, I trust, as if she had been my own daughter,
and, failing of my own means, accordingly to have her preferred
that her own parents, for discharge of my conscience and my
honourable using of her, might relieve me of her loss -of time
and other inconveniences, after that^ I had offered her as a
piece of my nourriture (to do her honour) to serve about the
Queen of England ; which is not granted, but yet on a sudden
they would have had her from me, which I could not yield unto,
for that such honest furniture as then I had in hand for her
departure was not yet ready, as she and it both are now for
an hour's warning. But to be plain, I would be the rather quit
of her, for that I see too much of her grandmother's nature in
her behaviour every way, notwithstanding all my pains for the
contrary, and therefore now would be sorry to have her bestowed
upon any man that I wish good unto."

^ Vol. xvii., n. 76 ; Labanoff, torn, vi,, p. 344.
° Vol. xviii., n. 74; Labanoff, torn, vi,, p. 424.

M

1 78 Sir Aniias Poulet,

The great "linen" question came to an end at last, for
the closing sentence of this letter of April 25th is, "The bed
and linen provided for this Queen was brought hither by the
carrier the 22nd of this present, and was well accepted."

On the 5th of May, Poulet wrote two letters to Walsingham.
From the first ^ we learn that Elizabeth at length allowed them
a more liberal supply of money. This is Poulet's "domestical
success."

To Mr. Secretary, ^"^ Mali, 1586.

Sir, — Like as your foreign advertisements mentioned
in your last letters were very welcome because they
contained matter full of honour and profit, so you may
believe that I was not a little comforted to hear of the
good success of our domestical causes, and that her
Majesty had yielded to yield a warrant dormant, which
I impute to your friendly furtherance, and although the
profit thereof shall redound to her Majesty, yet having
tasted to my great grief of the slander and discredit
which have grown to this house through want of money,
I think myself beholden unto you for it, as for an
especial good turn, and as much as I can I thank you
for it.

It is very true that I was informed by a gentleman
belonging to a nobleman and a councillor that himself
and many others above have been credibly informed that
I enjoyed the Lord Paget's demesne, grounds, and parks
here to my own use, and for his part did confess that he
had so reported of me, as many others had done the like
to his knowledge, praying me to excuse his fault as done
of ignorance.

I say unto you before God that I never received benefit
of anything belonging to the Lord Paget to the value
of one penny. Whereof I prayed Mr. Darrell to inform
you, as one willing to remove from you this opinion, if
haply you had received it upon sinister information.

^ Vol. xvii., n, 62.

Keeper of Mary Qtieen of Scots. 179

I was advised by a friend better acquainted with the
state of this country than myself to desire the stewardship
of the Lord Paget's lands in this shire, thereby to have
the tenants the more at commandment upon all occasions
of service occurring, and to keep them in the better
obedience to her Majesty's laws and proceedings in
matter of religion, wherein they had been greatly
seduced by the Lord Paget and his ministers. This
stewardship I have from my Lord Treasurer with a fee
of 40J. by the year, whereof as yet I have received
nothing, and this all the profit which I have made of
the Lord Paget's lands, although I may say truly that
the late Lord Paget's tenants are somewhat reformed
sithence my coming to this stewardship.

Poulet then says that five or six of the Scottish Queen's
retinue were sick of a tertian ague, "of which number Curie's
servant is one." Curie, therefore, begging that another might
be provided, " I asked where he would find this maiden-servant,
wherein he referred himself to my choice, or would be content
with a young woman in Tutbury, god-daughter to this Queen, if
I could like of it. I have no great opinion that (as things go
in France at this present) the supply of servants desired by this
Queen will be yielded unto, and therefore it were not amiss, in
my simple opinion, that this one servant were admitted, which
would greatly satisfy their discon[ten]ted minds. A woman of
her quality cannot be dangerous if the matter be so carried as
she be brought hither before she know the cause of her coming ;
and here I would wish it might be lawful for me to indent with
her that she should resort twice or thrice at the least in every
week at our sermons and prayers, which may perchance restrain
them from alluring her to their idolatrous service. . . .

" I have kept this Queen fasting from all sort of news, good or
bad, ever sithence I was so loudly belied upon the advertisement
which I gave of the last alteration in Scotland, which they spared
not to write to have been delivered by direction from above,
and I know by good mean that this Queen pretendeth to be
grieved that she cannot hear how the world goeth, and I would
M 2

i8o Sir Aniias Poulet,

believe she were so if I did not think that she had secret means
to be advertised thereof."

This letter keeps alive our compassion for Lord Paget*s
poor Catholic tenants, who must have groaned under their new
steward, as the next letter pretty plainly shows us. That the
" advertisement of the last alteration in Scotland " was made to
the Queen of Scots by order " from above " is more than likely,
for on the 7th December, Sir Francis Walsingham instructed
Poulet " to show a certain letter to the Queen of Scots in regard
to the present alteration in Scotland, and to ?iote carefully the
speeches she shall use on perusing the same^^ If this is the
"advertisement" Poulet alludes to in May, he kept his captive
"fasting from all sort of news, good or bad," for a long time.
His allusion to her ''secret means" of receiving news is curious,
and it is as plainly expressed as it could be without betraying
what was going on to his Secretary.

The following, which is entered in the letter-book as a
separate letter, was despatched as part of the foregoing.

To Mr. Secretary^ eodem die [5°] Maii^ 1586.
Sir, — Following the direction of the Lords of her
Majesty's Council signified by your letters of the 26th
of the last, touching the confessions sent unto you from
Lichfield, I failed not, immediately upon the receipt of
your said letters, to cause the houses of the parties
suspected to be searched by some of my servants of
honest credit, and with Mr. Richard Bagot's assistance
took the examinations of John Godwyn, Robert Taylor,
and Bryan Bold, Richard Ensor being departed towards
London before my letters came to my hands, forbearing
to send the said examinations unto you until Richard
Ensor hath also been examined. By these searches and
^examinations it falleth out that the marriage of Robert
Taylor, servant to Richard Ensor, at a Mass six years
past, or thereabouts, is confessed by himself, and that
sithence that time he hath not presented himself to the

^ Vol. xvi., n. 72.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 1 8 1

communion, as also that Richard Ensors study was
found furnished with Popish books of all kinds, whereof
my servants the searchers brought hither with them
thirteen, besides a good number which they left remaining
there, praying to be advertised from you what you will
have done with these books. No other thing contained
in the accusation yet is proved. The Priest which married
the said Taylor is called by the name of Barloe, and hath
been heretofore in the Marshalsea, and now lately hath
been committed to the gaol in this shire by the Justices
here where he now remaineth.
And thus, &c.

In the next letter,^ the Priest reappears in a very curious
way, showing an inattention that we should hardly have expected
in Walsingham. Perhaps he did not know that " Camille " was
the same person as " Du Preau," whom Poulet has frequently
mentioned as Mary's chaplain. Or perhaps he knew it was the
Priest of whom he was writing, and not being willing to recog-
nize his existence, even in writing to Poulet, calls him, out of
contempt, the vaict dc cha7nbre.

To Sir Francis Walsingham^ 12 Mail, 1586.

Sir, — Whereas by your direction John Magale, French-
man, hath been permitted to have speech with one Camillo,
whom in your letters you term valet de chambrey the
truth is that the said Camillo, surnamed Du Preau, is the
Massing Priest of whom I have heretofore advertised you.
This Magale had conference with him in my presence
and hearing, not above half an hour, the chief cause of
his coming being a matter of debt, wherein Preau hath
dealt very liberally, and, as I may say, brotherly with
him, and I am greatly deceived if he be not indeed his
brother, resembling him in countenance very much, which
is also to be gathered by other circumstances.

Although for his [sake] I would not have troubled the

^ Vol. xvii., n. 66.

1 82 Sir Amias Poulet,

post at this time with so slender matter, but that my
Lord Treasurer requireth my opinion with speed by what
mean her Majesty's charges of household here may be
diminished, and what superfluous persons in this family
may conveniently be spared, whereof he would be adver-
tised before the return hither of Mr. Darrell. It is not
my place to give orders, but to obey such as shall be
prescribed unto me, and therefore my opinion herein is
soon given.

And thus, &c.

It is ingenious in Poulet to discover in Elizabeth's desire for
the reduction of their expenditure, a reason for getting rid of the
Priest, in order to put a stop to the christenings and marryings.

To my Lord Treasurer, eodein die, [12] May, 1586.

My very good Lord, — Your lordship's of the 2nd of
this present came to my hands the 9th of the same. And
as I think myself much beholden to your lordship for
your favourable endeavour to satisfy her Majesty touching
Mr. Darrell's accounts for the expenses of the family, so
for my part I can say no more therein than hath been
already delivered by your lordship, and it is so far off that
I can promise the lessening of the said charges, as I may
assure your lordship that it will be increased if the general
dearth do continue.

The diet of this household and the other defrayments
incident to the same, are so certain and ordinary as there
can be no great abuse therein, and order was taken before
my coming to reduce the same to a certainty, which
was then rated at 3,000/.^ by the year, and I know that
Sir Ralph Sadler's- expenditure during his being in this

^ It is not clear in the manuscript whether it is iijM//. or iiijM//., that is
3,000/, or 4,000/. The warrant for the Queen of Scots' diets, granted
April 23, is for a sum not exceeding 3,600/. a year {^Cotton. AfSS.y Calig.,
C. ix., f. 23).

' Sadler tells Walsingham, January 13, 1585, that 70/. a week is set down
for the Queen's diet (Vol. xv., n. 19).

Keeper of Mary Quee^t of Scots. 183

charge did far exceed that rate.^ I think the Earl of

^ A brief of the account of Marinaduke Darrell, gent., for all such sums of
money as he hath received toxvards the household defrayments of the Scottish
Queeyi and her family at Tutbury Castle and Chartley, bet%oeen the last day of
April, 1585, and the -^rd day of April, i^^Zd, following, viz. :

Received by virtue of a Privy Seal, out of the receipt of the
Exchequer and by the hands of certain collectors of the subsidy,
within the time of this account ... ... ... ... i , ooo/.

Received of Richard Bagot, esquire, out of the profit
growing to her Majesty of certain iron works, late the Lord
Paget's, within the time of this account ... ... ... i,6io/.

Received of Sir Amias Poulet, for the rent of certain
grounds, tithes, and parks, late also the Lord Paget's, due
for one whole year ended at our Lady Day next ... 35^^- ^^j. Sd.

Received more of his honour, which he hath lent towards
these household defrayments at sundry times ... ... 350^*

And received for the hides and tallow of beeves, muttons, &c. ,
and for certain household provisions sold upon especial causes
within the time of this accovmt, as may appear ... ... I2i/. igs.

Sum. 3,440/. lis. Sd.

Against the which there hath been discharged which was
owing upon the last former account, ended the said last day
of April, 1585 20I. lyd.

And there hath grown due within the time of this account
for victuals, necessaries, wage, and other household charges,

as may particularly appear 3,618/. 6 j-. 9^.

Sum. 3,638/. 8j-. 2d.

Remaineth owing to the country upon this account, ending
the 2nd of April 197/. i6s. 6d.

A brief of the expenses within the time aforesaid.
There did remain in victuals and other provisions at the
beginning of this account, the ist day of May ... ... 258/. lis. 2d.

And there hath been disbursed within the time of this
account in household defrayments, as before appeareth 3,618/. 6s. gd.

Sum. 3,876/. I7J-. lid.

Towards the which
There hath been returned to her Majesty for hides, tallow,
and certain household provisions sold within this time ... 121/. igs.

And there doth remain in divers kinds of victual at the end
of this account, the 2nd of April ... ... ... ... 103/. 2i-. 3</.

Sum. 225/. i^d.

And so
Appeareth to have been clearly expended within the time of

this account 3,651/. i6j-. 8^.

In diet 2,599/. 3^-. 2^.

In necessaries, &c. ... ... 290/. 13J. ^d.

In hire of labourers ... ... 51/. 13^. 7^/.

In household wage ... ... 85/. 4^. 2d.

In soldiers' and posts' wage ... 393^' lO-*"-

And in foreign payments ... 230/. 12s. 2d. (Vol. xvii., n. 50).

1 84

Sir Atnias Poulet,

Shrewsbury will not confess that his bargain was profitable
unto him when he had 1,500/. for this Queen's diet, yet it
may be affirmed that his lordship might better do it with
1,500/. than her Majesty with a double sum, which may be
proved by many reasons not unknown to your lordship,,
and therefore I forbear to make mention of them.

And whereas it is thought that the number of persons,
as well in this Queen's family as of those of my company
is over great and superfluous, and that the discharge of
some of them might shorten the charges, wherein it
pleaseth your lordship to require my opinion with speed,
Mr. Darrell can inform your lordship of all the particular
names of this Queen's family,^ with the qualities and
conditions of their service, referring the allowing or dis-
allowing of them to her Majesty's good pleasure, only I
will say that as long as her Highness shall allow a Sir John

^ The names and offices of such persons as do attend upon the Scottish Queen.

35

Mr. Nawe, Seretary.
Mr. Melvin, Mr. of the Household
]\Ir. Curie, Mr. of the Horse.
Mr. Burbon, physician.
Mr. Prewe, reader.
Eveiy of them a servant.
The apothecary.
The surgeon.
The embroiderer.
Four grooms of her chamber.
Two yeomen of her pantry.
Two yeomen of her warder.
Two cooks.
A pastelar.
Four tum-broches.
Four grooms of her stable.
Bastian's son.
Two others.

The whole number of the
Queen's people

The Governor's forty servants.
The Mr. of the Household and two servants.
Thirty soldiers in garrison*
Three posts.
The number >

of both families. ) ' (Vol. xvii., n. 53).

Mrs. Pearpointe.
Mrs. Bewregarde.
Mr. Curie's wife.
Mr. Curie's sister.
Mrs. Mowbraye.
Mrs. Camdaye.
Mrs. Bastian.
Her two daughters.
Two English Sisters.
Mrs. Curie's woman.
Mrs. Perpoint's woman.
Her three laundresses.

16-

[=■

C76

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 185

in this house, and that there is christening and marrying
among them, there will be no want of unprofitable servants.

There are two or three old men which are entertained
especially in respect of their service past. The younger
sort, by reason of this Queen's infirmity, have no doubt
their hands full, which I may not deny unless I will be
careless of her Majesty's honour, and also deal uncharitably
with those who are afflicted with sickness. I do not
account Mrs. Pierrepont or her maid of this number, who
are not used or intreated as servants.

Touching my company, I may afhrm that I have been
veiy careful to keep myself within the compass of the
number prescribed unto me, which was rated at forty
servants and thirty horses, wherein I have been the more
curious to make satisfaction, in part for her Majesty's
gracious favour in permitting my wife to be here with me,
although I may say truly that her oversight in the kitchen
and other offices of this household is not unprofitable.

Divers of my said forty servants are placed in offices,
as kitchen, cellar, buttery, pantry, &c., having nevertheless
their wages and liveries of me, and if I looked no farther
than to myself and to the service of my own person, I
might spare some others and might save the wages and
liveries, but the strength of this house consisting only
in the serving[-men], the soldiers taking their diet and
lodging always out of the house, I think no man of any
discretion will take upon him to answer for this great
Scottish family with a less guard than of forty serving-
men, and indeed might be in danger to have his throat
cut and to lose his charge, if his own company were not
stronger than the Scottish retinue. Thus having delivered
unto your lordship all that I know or think in this matter,
I will conclude with this assertion, that if I have honesty,,
truth, or conscience in me, I have been more niggardly
in this charge than ever I was in my own house.

As knoweth, &c.

1 86 Sir Amias Poulet,

Fearing the malice of evil tongues, I thought good to
acquaint your lordship that I have had here with me, the
better part of this last year, one of my sons and his
servant, for whom I have spared so many of the number
of my ordinary servants prescribed unto me, and as they
have not been more chargeable to her Majesty than two
common servants should have been, so I may say truly,
that my son hath done me very good service in this place.

Also, I have here with me a young gentlewoman, a
ward, of my own name, whom I bought of my Lord
Audley for my said son, and having procured her coming
hither, to try how my son and she could like one of the
other, it is now resolved that at the next Whitsuntide they
shall be married, by the grace of God, and within four
days after, I intend to send them into the west parts,
where they shall remain, meaning nothing less than to
keep any married folks in her Majesty's family here.

Moreover, by reason of your lordship's little god-
daughter, and my little jewel, her nurse hath been here
sithence my coming, but the child being weaned, the nurse
departeth this Whitsuntide. Thus, for fear of some
whispering and undermining harm, although I trust your
lordship will not be hasty to condemn me upon report, I
have thought good to lay open these trifles unto your
lordship, which I call trifles, because, all the foresaid
persons being put in reckoning, it shall be found that I
have wanted of my prescribed number, so as her Majesty
hath not been charged by this occasion.

The letter to Walsingham of May 22,^ begins with an inter-
view between Nau and his brother's servant, Boulenger, at which
the only matter of any consequence was Nau's assertion, " which
he uttered with passion, redoubling his speeches, that the Queen
his mistress was neither hydroppique^ nor cancresse in her legs, 7iy
malade a la mort (I use his own words), as had been given forth

^ Vol. xvii., n. 81.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 187

by some who perhaps wish the same, but that she increased in
health and strength daily, hoping to see her perfectly recovered in
time, to the comfort of all her good friends."

Apparently, Poulet was afraid that some letters were received
by Mary that did not pass through his hands, for in the following
passage he can hardly refer to those that came by Gilford and
the Burton brewer, all of which he said : " Nau, in his speech
with me after the departure of his brother's servant, asked if I
had received the French Ambassador's letter of the 7th of this
present. I answered. No. Then he prayed me to put you in
remembrance of them. I told him that the French Ambassador's
letters made mention of another packet of the 14th of the last,
which he said he did not remember? It is to be feared lest this
packet hath been delivered by some secret mean, because Nau
taketh no pleasure to hear of it, and if it be so, then the French
Ambassador hath forgotten himself, to make mention of this
packet in his open letters."

Mary's singular request, that Elizabeth would take Bessie
Pierrepont into her own service was not forgotten. " The
Ambassador's wife writeth also to this Queen, that she will not
fail to solicit her Majesty touching Pierrepont, and will follow
the matter with all diligence."

Lastly, Poulet forwards, together with Nau's letters, ''another
packet of letters from the Priest here to the Frenchman lately
sent hither unto him to be delivered unto the French Ambassador."

In an autograph postcript Poulet adds, referring evidently
to Mary's secret letters dated May 18 and 20, which were very
numerou9,i " I have been prayed by a friend of mine to convey
unto you this packet inclosed which I received yesterday, and
have nothing else to write unto you touching the same, whereof
I am nothing sorry, because I assure you my hand is lame at
this present, so as I write my name with some difficulty."

The letter-book ends with the following fragment of a letter,
showing that the scornful tone of Poulet's last letter about money
matters had not induced Elizabeth to pass his accounts.

^ May 18, to the Archbishop of Glasgow, Liggons, the Bishop of Ross ;
May 20, to Mendoza, Charles Paget, Sir Francis Englefield, and Morgan.
Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 294 — 330.

1 88 ^ Sir Amias Potdet,

To my Lord T7'easure7', 25/// oj^ May, 1586.
My very good Lord, — Understanding by your letters-
that her Majesty was not pleased with the expenses of this
family, and required to be advertised from me how the
same might be diminished, I thought good to forbear to
make answer to your lordship's letters until the return of
Mr. Darrell, because the charge belonging in part unto
him. . . .

Between the end of this and the beginning of the last letter-
book, there is again a very long interval. Poulet's letters in the
Public Record Office are^ of two sorts. There are his public
letters, which series would be more interesting if it contained
his report to Elizabeth of the conduct of his charge when
forcibly separated from her servants, and his letters to the
Lord Treasurer " from day to day " during the transfer to
Fotheringay. But besides these, there is another set of letters,
also addressed to Walsingham, but unsigned, and altogether in
Poulet's own handwriting. These are the letters in which Poulet
communicates widi Walsingham on the various stages of their
plan for entrapping Mary. And it was during this interval that
the plot was completed, the evidence prepared, and the Queen of
Scots tried and condemned.

The following short letter is interesting, not only on account
of the reward bestowed upon Phelippes, the significance of which
has already been noticed, but also on account of the reference
to liOrd Burghley, who is here, and in a subsequent letter from
Phelippes to Walsingham, called "the great person." It is plain
that Mary thought that Burghley was inclined to be friendly to
her, for she wrote to Chateauneuf :^ "II n'y auroyt point de mal
que en touchassiez un mot a mylord Burghley, mais . . . comme
de vous mesmes, . . . sans luy laisser aulcun lieu ou subject de
soupgonner que le vent vient d'icy." And to the Archbishop
of Glasgow : ^ " Donnez advis de cecy au grand tresorier par
I'Ambassadeur Staffort." However, both these were written

^ Vol. xviii., n. 44; Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 370.

^ Cotton. MSS.y Nero, B. vi., f. 400; Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 382.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 189

later, and are not the letters alluded to by Walsingham. "That
packet" we shall probably never see, for Walsingham "saved" it,
lest Elizabeth's Minister or "the cause" should suffer. Mary's
death was " the cause," and for it Walsingham was ready to do
more than suppress Mary's letters.

Walsingham to Phelippes}-
Her Majesty hath signed your bill for a pension of
.an hundred marks, and you will not believe in how
good part she accepteth of your service.

I have saved that packet that toucheth the great
person, as neither he nor the cause shall take lack.
Some warning is to be given to G., and Foxley^ looketh
for an answer. I would be glad to-morrow, in the
morning, to see you here. God keep you.
At the Court, the 3rd of May, 1586.

Your loving friend,

Fra. Walsingham.

Addressed — To his {sic) servant, Tho. Phelippes.

Endorsed by Phelippes — From ]\Ir. Secretary Walsing-
ham, 3rd May, 1586.

The five following letters are placed together, as they relate
to the same subject, and not being dated, it is not easy to decide
upon their proper chronological place. For the first the Calendar
suggests May. If so it must be very early in the month. Mary
wrote a very large number of letters in May, but in April hardly
one. The brewer's wife, though "acquainted with the practice,"
was not apparently acquainted with her husband's double dealing.

Poulet to Wahinghain?
The substitute was at the place appointed the 22nd
of the present, when he remained from morning to night,

^ Holograph. Vol. xvii., n. 60.

^ Foxley is Gratley, the Priest {Dom. Eliz., vol, cxcix., n. 95), who, in
concert with Gilbert Gifford, wrote a book against Father Persons and the
Jesuits, which book was submitted to Walsingham and Phelippes.

•^ Holograph. Vol. xvii., n. 82.

190 Sir Amias Poulet,

but the honest man did not appear. Hereupon, the
substitute sought the honest man the next morning early
at his house at Burton, from whence he was departed
before the coming of the said substitute, to make pro-
vision of malt, as his wife affirmed.

The honest man had heretofore declared to the
substitute that if at any time he failed of his promise,
the substitute should repair to his house, where in his
absence his wife should satisfy him in all things, who
was acquainted with the practice. This woman telleth
the substitute that her husband was advertised from this
Queen his mistress (so she termed her), that her letters
could not be ready until the end of this week now in
hand, and that returning thither after four days, he should
find her husband at home, who would agree with him
upon the time and place of their next meeting.

She told him that her husband had great credit
with this Queen, and that he carried himself so well
as he had no less credit with me, and that I had given
him letters into other shires for provision of malt, as
indeed I had.

She said that this Queen had dealt liberally with
her husband, and that she was bountiful without measure
to all such as deserved well of her. In all her speech
she called this Queen her husband's mistress.

Endorsed by PJielippes — A note from Sir Amias Poulet.

To Mary the brewer's services were, as she believed, simply-
invaluable. She had no means of knowing when he received
her letters, or how long he kept them. He could do as he
pleased, excuse himself as he liked, and make his own terms
with her. This letter does not speak of his extorting money
from her, but it does of his consciousness of his power over
Poulet. Mr. Froude puts it well when he says,^ " The brewer was
first paid by Walsingham ; next he was assured of lavish rewards
, ^ History, vol. xii,, p. 1 16.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 191

from the Queen of Scots, which to secure her confidence it was
necessary to permit him to receive. Lastly, Hke a true English
scoundrel, he used the possession of a State secret to exact a
higher price for his beer." Giflford says that he had " 20/. besides
many good angels." ^ The 20/. probably, and the " many good
angels " certainly, came from Mary. How many, no one knew,
and Poulet doubted "lest the honest man kept the better part
for himself" of the rewards Mary sent to the others through him.
Another letter speaks of 10/. in money, besides the former
rewards. " There was never so fortunate a knave," said Gifford,
who was himself a greater knave than he. Gifford extorted
money from Morgan,- by pretending that the brewer was bribed
by him. "He gave him that made the intelligence to your
Majesty eight angels, and promised to make it some twenty
nobles,^ which is twenty crowns, which he will never account
to your Majesty."

Poulet to Walsingham^

I have written unto you before this time that the
honest man playeth the harlot with this people egregiously,
preferring his particular profit and commodity before their
service, because he knoweth he can satisfy them with
words at his pleasure, and that they cannot control any-
thing that he saith.

The house where he dwelleth is distant from hence
only ten miles, and yet I do not remember that he hath
delivered at any time any packet unto this Queen until
six or seven days after the receipt thereof. He appointeth
all places of meeting at his pleasure, wherein he must
be obeyed, and hath no other respect than that he may
not ride out of his way, or at the least that his travel
for this cause may not hinder his own particular business.
And therefore having appointed his last meeting within
one mile of his own house, v/ith resolution to lodge

^ The angel was about los.

^ Vol. xvii., n. 32 ; Murdin, p. 498.

^ Noble, a gold coin worth ds. Sd. Halliwell.

* Holograph. Vol. xvii., n. 83.

192 Sir Amias Poulet,

there that night, he sendeth thither late in the evening
a boy to signify unto the substitute that his business
would not permit him to be there that night, praying
him to have patience until the next day at ten of the
clock, at which time he came indeed and brought with
him the last packet which you received from hence.

At his coming he beareth the substitute in hand that
he could not have the packet until that morning, whereas
in truth he was despatched from hence the day before
in the morning. The displeasure which was likely to
grow hereof was this, that the said boy whom he used
for his messenger, was son to one who is the ordinary
carrier to the honest man for his malt, and this carrier
is a near neighbour to the substitute, so as the boy knew
him as soon as he saw him. The substitute very dis-
-creetly dealt so roughly with the honest man for sending
unto him a foolish messenger in this manner that he
rested satisfied and looked no further into the matter,
and indeed if he have wit to consider it, in bewraying
the substitute, he shall bewray himself

It seemeth that the honest man is persuaded that
I cannot spare his semce, having of late required an
increase of price for his beer in unreasonable sort, and
yet so peremptorily as I must yield to his asking or
lose his service. I think his new mistress and her
liberal rewards make him weary of all other service.

That the next letter belongs to May is clear from the
mention in it of Whitsuntide. The letter from Curie to Gifford,
alluded to by Poulet, has not been preserved. The application
for " pensions and I cannot tell what," that frightened Poulet,
was j^robably a petition to Mary, made perhaps to keep up
appearances, perhaps because he thought it possible that he
might hold it, that he might have the prebend in St. Quintin's,
that Morgan had promised ^ him in Mary's name. To Morgan

^ Vol. xvii., n. 32 ; vol. xviii., n. 13.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 193

Mary answered,"^ "By my next open depesche there shall be sent
to you two brevets for prebends, and your man shall be set upon
my estate amongst my pensioners." And July 4, Morgan wrote
to Gifford under the names of Thomas Germyn to Nicholas
Cornelly's,^ that A. [the Queen of Scots] thanked him for his
services, and granted him a prebend.

The " last week's meeting " being " disappointed," means of
course that Mary's letters were not ready. Poulet trusted " that
yet now at the last some good success would have followed."
Upon these words only one construction can be put. Poulet
was waiting and hoping from week to week that every packet
from Mary would contain " sufficient to hang her," as he puts
it elsewhere. He fears this may be frustrated through some
warning conveyed by Gifford, who he thinks is bidding too high
with the Queen of Scots to be faithful to Walsingham.

Poulet to Walsingham?

Sir, — The last week's meeting was disappointed, and
a new day and place set down by the honest man,
which was performed yesterday, at which time I trusted
that yet now at the last some good success would have
followed, although, to say plainly as I think, I have been
in great doubt of it ever sithence I received from your
friend a letter in cipher from Curie to him, by the which
it seemed that his mistress, finding herself pressed to
make speedy answer, did forbear when she was before
resolved to have written.

Surely I do not mistrust the fidelity of your friend,
but I fear lest his young years and want of experience
have not been answerable to his goodwill, and that for
want of judgment he hath played the wanton in writing
to this Queen, which I suspect the rather, because he
hath capitulated with her for pensions and I cannot
tell what, and perchance to show his forwardness hath
bewrayed his indiscretion.

^ Vol. xvii,, n. So; Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 327,
2 Vol. xviii., n. 31. ^ Holograph. Vol. xvii., n. 67.

N

194 '^^^ Ami as Poulet,

I may easily judge of his own several letters unto
me that he wanteth that sufficiency of discretion, which
were requisite in him that hath to deal with so many
fine and subtle heads. His service, no doubt, was very
acceptable to this people in the beginning, and with
temperance his credit towards them would have increased
daily. It may be that all things will come to good pass,
and that I have no cause to write thus largely unto you,
but the suspicion of the contrary is so apparent, as in
my simple opinion I should do wrong to my place if
I did not inform you of it, leaving the same to your
better consideration, and yet resting in some little hope
of better success.

At the yesterday's meeting the honest man told the
substitute that as yet he could get no despatch from this
Queen his mistress, which she hath deferred until Whit-
suntide, and hereupon a new meeting is appointed upon
Tuesday in the Whitsun week [May 24, O.S.]. The substi-
tute found himself grieved that he had lingered here in vain
these three weeks for answer, and that his cousin looked
to have seen him at London before this time. The honest
man prayed him with a merry countenance to have
patience, saying that this Queen had sent him word
that she could not send him so good news now as she
hoped to do within these three weeks. (This clause
seemeth to carry some other meaning.) The substitute
concluded that he or his cousin would not fail to keep
the appointed time of meeting.

The packet for this Queen received yesterday from
Mr. Phelippes shall be carried by the substitute to the
honest man's house, having no other means to deliver
the same with such speed as is required. It may be
that this new packet will give new credit to the substitute.

[Not addressed.]

Endorsed — A secret note, and by Phelippes— K secret
note from Sir Amias Poulet.

Keeper of Mary Queeft of Scots, 195

The next letter, it is clear, was written between the 7th and the
17th of May. Gifford was not sent to ''assure the honest man,"
that is, to make trial of him, before the beginning of July. On
May ^1,1 Mary acknowledges the receipt of a letter from the
Archbishop of Glasgow of the last of March, ^ together with Pere
•delaRue's^of [Nov.] J|.

Poiilet to Walsingham.^

The packet sent for this Queen was delivered to the
honest man at his house the 7th of this present by the
substitute, who could not by any mean intreat him to
deliver the same here before the 14th ensuing, excusing
himself especially for this reason, lest his often going
and coming might minister just cause of suspicion. And
whereas in my last I signified unto you that the honest
man had appointed the Tuesday in the Whitsun week
for his next meeting with the substitute, he hath now
shortened the time and hath agreed to meet with him
the 17th of this instant, so as there is good hope of better
success than my last letters did import, the substitute
finding the honest man very well satisfied and altogether
void of suspicion.

If the substitute shall receive nothing from hence
-about this Whitsuntide, I am of opinion that it shall be
well done to assure the honest man, thereby to know if
.he have any other vent for his letters.

[Not addressed.]

^//(^(^r^-^^/— Advertisement from Sir Amias Poulet.

The brewer was led to believe that he was the only traitor.
The consequence was that round-about courses were necessary
to preserve the " credit " of the others who were employed. The
date of this letter must be the first week in June, and this suits
the "short light nights." It is hard to see how, with these

^ Vol. xvii., n. 84; Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 295.
"■^ Vol. xvii., n, 31. ^ Vol. xvi., n. 64. •* Holograph. Vol. xvii., n. 68.

N 2

196 Sir A^nias Poulet,

words in the letter, Mr. Thorpe can have calendared it in
February. Poulet exults over the possession of this packet,
because the letters of the end of May were very numerous, and
Mary had hardly written any since the "great packet " at the
end of March. He feared lest the brewer was forwarding
her letters honestly, and this is why he so devoutly thanks God
that "all is now well," and that "the honest man is engaged for
ever." Poulet is glad that Bessie Pierrepoint had not left,
because he thought that if she had gone, she would have been
the bearer of these letters, which thus would never have reached
Walsingham's hands. Pie says so, plainly, in his letter of
June 15th. This letter is probably of later date than that.

Poulet to Walsingham}

Sir, — I think myself very happy that among so many
changes and chances that have fallen out of late, this
expected packet is come safely to my hands, which was
delivered unto me by the honest man the 3rd of this
present in the morning, at which time your friend was not
far from me ; but for the better consideration of his credit
in this action it was agreed between him and me that I
should stay the said packet in my hands until the 4th in
the evening, and then to send it to the honest man's
house at Burton, where your friend would be ready to
seize on it.

Your friend arrived here the 1st of this present, and
taking his old lodging with Mr. Newport, steward to the
Earl of Essex, I have had more safe conference with him
by a continual intercourse of letters than if he had come
unto me in person in these short light nights, especially
considering that many of this Queen's family are stirring
all night by reason of her infirmity at this present.

You see all is now well, thanks be to God, and the
honest man is engaged for ever. It seemeth that this
people make good account of this packet, in that the

^ Holograph. Vol. xvii., n. 19.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 197

honest man telleth me that with the packet he had 10/.
in money, besides all former rewards from this Queen
not unknown unto you.

Your friend can tell you that he hath been troublesome
to Mr. Newport many times, and must be hereafter, as
often as he cometh into these parts. It seemeth meet
that some consideration were had of it.

I account it a great happiness that this packet cometh
to your hands before the departure of Mrs. Pierrepont.

Your friend is very careful in this service and professeth
to have vowed himself wholly to your devotion, as one
bound thereunto by your singular benefits.

It is not for nothing that Nau hath not gone out of this
house above once this month without riding or walking
abroad after his accustomed manner. He hath been worse
occupied at home.

This Queen hath not gone out of her chamber this
month and is yet troubled with defluxions in divers parts.

Great cost is bestowed on Mrs. Pierrepont in garments
of all sorts, wherein cloth of silver and gold and silver lace
are not spared.

Your friend could [not receive the packet at the honest
man's hands so soon as he expected, which is the cause that
it cometh so slowly unto you.

This Queen in her speech with me yesterday, com-
plained that she was not better answered touching her
servants^ and change of lodging. But she complained
very coldly of the latter, which I impute to nothing else
than that she feareth lest her remove from hence would
overthrow her intelligence.

It is true that this Queen hath in every of her legs
an issue, which, as they say, is her last remedy. I found
her lying on her bed.

Endorsed — 1586. From Sir Amyas Poulett.

^ Mary wrote to Walsingham on the 3rd of May, asking for passports for
some new servants (Vol. xvii,, n. 61 ; Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 272).

198 Sir Ainias Potclet,

We now come to letters to which Poulet is neither ashamed
nor afraid to sign his name.

Poulet to Phelippes>

Sir, — I pray you impute my long silence to my
diligent servant the gout, which had possessed my hand
so as I could hardly write my own name, which is the
true cause that I have not written unto you of late. You
may find by my former letters to Mr. Secretary, that I
have been jealous of her Majesty's service, a fault not
worthy of great blame, wherein also I had some particular
interest because I was a party in the action.

Your friend had committed two great and gross faults
in this country, which moved me the rather to suspect
the worst I trust the last despatch from hence was so
effectual as will suffice to salve all sores.

You write of your coming into these parts, which as
I desire greatly, so I will not fail to further if I shall hear
of anything belonging to the Lord Paget meet for you.

And thus not doubting but that you have your hands
full of business, I leave to trouble you with idle words, and
so do commit you to the mercy of the Almighty.

From Chartley, the 3rd of June, 1586.

Your assured friend,

A. Poulet.

I pray you do me the pleasure to convey this letter,
sent herewith, to my servant Hackshaw.

Addressed by Poidet — To my very good friend,
Mr. Thomas Phelippes, esquire, at the Court.

Endorsed by Phelippes — 3rd June, 1586. Sir Amias.
Poulet.

The letter that follows is quoted by Mr. Froude,^ but in
such a manner as to call for remark. Mary, he says, "happy

^ Hologi-aph. Vol. xviii.,n. i. ^ History, \-o\. xii., j). 132.

Keeper of Mary Qtieen of Scots. 199

in the removal to Chartley and the secret access which she
possessed once more to the outer world, had recovered her
health and spirits. She had been treated with unusual indul'
gence. Her legs had swollen in the winter, and on her first
arrival she had been unable to walk ; but as the spring came
on she was driven out in a carriage, or was wheeled in her
chair through the garden. We catch a glimpse of her enjoying
' a duck-hunt ' in one of the ponds ; and when summer came,
her spirits lifting her body, she was able to mount her horse
again and gallop with the hounds, or strike a deer with a
crossbow." The latter Mary said of herself to Morgan^ July -^1-,
doubtless with intent to show that if an attempt were made to
rescue her, she was able to ride, not only "as this afternoon I
intend to do, within the Hmits of the park," but also "other
where, if it were permitted."

But the letters we have already given show how far from
the truth Mr. Froude is in his account of Mary's health. On
the 25th April, Poulet found her "sitting upon the side of her
bed, and not yet able to use her feet." In June her lameness
was "desperate." When the nights were short and light, she
was still so ill that " many of her family were stirring all night ;"
she had " not gone out of her chamber for a month," and had
"in every of her legs an issue, which, as they say, is her last
remedy." True, as Mr. Froude says, we do " catch a glimpse
of her enjoying a duck-hunt ;" but we catch no glimpse in
Mr. Froude's pages of her being carried to the pond, as "yet
able to go very little, and not without help of either side." In
fact, Mary was so helpless and infirm, that even a professional
advocate of Queen Elizabeth's hardest proceedings against her
wrote the following passage, and then erased it as too true and
telling too severely against the cause for which he was pleading.
He wrote that Queen Elizabeth "had been many times heard
to say that she had resolved with herself rather to hazard her
person and estate to all uttermost danger that perverse fortune
or the malice of the said lady could work for the residue of her
time, than to take away that poor life of hers, as a prisoner of
such years, so sickly and impotent, and so strofigly guarded, her
* Vol. xviii,, n, 74; Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 426.

200 Sir Amias Poulet^

Majesty thought it impossible should he able any ways to aimoy
her^ or to do her any great harmy^

As to the unusual indulgence with which she had been
treated, Mary herself did not so describe it. " Mon gardien,"
she wrote to Chateauneuf in July,- "continue tousjours ses
rigueurs et innovations;" and again, "depuis quelques jours, se
demonstre beaucoup plus rigoureux et insolent que de coustume;"
and Phelippes' commentary on it is,^ "You may see how she is
weary of her keeper, who in truth hath made no such change
of his behaviour, but thought it policy to colour matters with
his ordinary proceeding used before, thinking remissness would
have discovered the practice ; " that is, indulgence would arouse
Mary's suspicions.

Poulet to Walsifigham.^

Sir, — Your letters of the 29th of the last, with a packet
for this Queen, came to my hands the ist of this present
in the morning. Finding nothing in the said packet
worthy the advertisement, saving that Cherelles writeth
to Nau that the French King will write to her Majesty for
a new supply of servants for this Queen, and for the
change of her lodging, concluding in his letter with these
words : " On tient que la paix se fera, pour ce qu'on ne
peult plus fournir a la guerre." These news are as
welcome to this Queen as if he had cast salt in her
eyes.

The French Ambassador writeth to this Queen that her
new servants will not be granted until their names be
advertised, and touching the conflict between the Prince
of Conde and the regiment belonging to the Duke of
Maine, he writeth that Monsieur de Laval and his two
brethren were slain in that fight.

^ This passage occurs in a document which has become, with the letter-
books, the property of the Bodleian Library. It is evidently the work of one
of the Crown lawyers, and the words printed above in italics have had others
substituted for them by the author.

"^ Vol. xviii., n. 44; vol. xix., n. 15 j Labanoff, tom. vi., pp. 369, 428.

2 Vol. xviii,, n. 61.

■* Vol. xviii., n, 2.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 201

The French Ambassador's wife in her letters to this
Queen writeth very honourably of her Majesty, which I
impute rather to that she knoweth that her letters must
pass through my hands, than to any great devotion she
beareth to her Highness.

This Queen hath now gotten a little strength, so as she
goeth sometimes abroad in the coach, and at other times is
carried in her chair to one of the ponds adjoining to this
house to see duck-hunting, but is yet able to go very little,
and not without help of either side.

It may please you to do me the favour to convey this
letter inclosed to my Lord of Leicester, by the next con-
venient messenger. And thus, with my most hearty thanks
unto you for your liberal advertisements of the occurrents
of foreign parts, and giving God like thanks for His
merciful providence towards her Majesty, His afflicted
Church, and this our country, I commit you to His mighty
protection.

From Chartley, the 3rd of June, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

It may please you to command one of your servants to
deliver this letter to Mr. Phelippes.

The request to be removed from Chartley does not appear
in Mary's private letters. It was probably made in a letter
openly addressed to Chateauneuf, but no such letter is in exist-
ence. Mary can only have asked to be removed in order to
avert suspicion from her correspondence which she supposed to
be secret. Poulet must have been in the right when he said
that she would be sorry to be taken at her word.

Poulet to Walsinghain}
Sir, — I am not ignorant that this Queen hath desired
to be removed from hence, wherein for my part I rest

^ Vol. xviii., n. 4.

202 Sir A mi as Poulet,

in my old opinion to be no suitor for any remove, or
to nominate any house for that purpose, but to follow
therein such direction as I shall receive from above.
Only I have thought good to put you in remembrance
that it shall stand much with her Majesty's profit that
the certainty should be known as soon as may be, for
provision to be made of hay, wood, coal, and many other
things for the service of this house the next winter. I
have written thus much to my Lord Treasurer by this
bearer. And thus, wishing unto you all happiness, I
commit you to the merciful protection of our good God.
From Chartley, the 9th of June, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

On the 6th June Poulet wrote,^ under the false impression
that Mary wished Bessie Pierrepont to marry Nau. " Now being
commanded to signify unto you how it cometh to pass that this
Queen desireth to be rid of Mrs. Pierrepont, I can say nothing
therein but by way of surmise ; but I believe verily that this
Queen did never expect that this young gentlewoman should be
taken from her upon this motion, for doubt of the intelligence
which this gentlewoman so assured unto her might carry abroad,
wherein this Queen being refused she might have the better
colour to perform the intended marriage with Nau. This is all
I can say or think herein, and so I pray you to deHver it to
her Majesty. ... I think convenient in my simple opinion that
she should be taken from this Queen in such sudden manner
as she may have no time to confer with her after her warning
to depart. . . . My meaning herein tending to no other end
than that if young Pierrepont depart from this Queen, she may
not carry with her any treacherous or lewd instructions."

Poulet carried out his own suggestion, and overdid it. The

suddenness offended the Queen of Scots, who refused to part

with her protegee till her wardrobe was prepared. Mary said so

in a letter to Chateauneuf of June 25, which letter no longer

^ Vol. xviii., n. 3.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 203

exists. She afterwards repeated/ "Tout le retardement survenu
en cela n'est proce'de' que du peu temps que mon gardien me-
donne, m'estant venu advertir sur I'apres-diner, pour la faire
partir dans le mesme jour." Mary was really anxious that she
should go.

Poulet to Walsiugham?

Sir, — Mr. Pierrepont upon the receipt of your letters
the loth of this present in the morning, declared to the
messenger, my servant, that his daughter lost her time
with this Queen, and therefore being willing to bestow
her in marriage, as also for his own comfort, his house
being not very well furnished with children, he had been
a suitor unto you of late that his daughter might be
restored to him ; but coming out of London in haste,
so as he did not see you at his departure, did understand
by your letters that his suit was granted, and did trust
that this Queen would not refuse to deliver her, praying
the messenger to signify unto me that his servants should
be here to that purpose the 14th of this present ; who
arriving here at the prescribed day in the evening, and
bringing with them this letter inclosed, I prayed to have
access to this Queen. Wherein being refused upon pre-
tence that she had a pain in her side (as indeed she hath
been diseased these nine or ten days), and therefore desiring
to be forborne until the next day at nine or ten of the clock
in the morning ; having access unto her at the time
appointed, I declared unto her that according to the
motion made unto her Majesty by the French Ambassador
in her behalf,^ for licence to be given to young Mrs.
Pierrepont to return to her father, her Highness had
caused her pleasure therein to be signified as well to
Mr. Pierrepont as to myself, and Mr. Pierrepont having
sent men and horses for his daughter, I prayed that she
might be delivered unto them.

^ Vol. xix., n. 15 ; Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 428. ^ Vol. xviii., n. 7.
^ Vol. xvii., nn. 76, 89.

204 "^^'^ Amias Poulet^

This Queen answered that she is entreated therein as
in her other suits for her servants, and touching her poor
folks at Easter, having received no answer in either of
both, and now she trusted to have heard from her Majesty
of her assent to this motion by her own letters.

I told her it was sufficient, unless the matter were more
weighty, to understand her Highness' pleasure by me,
and she had reason to be satisfied in that her request
was granted.

'*Yet," saith she, ''it had been reasonable I should
have been advertised in time convenient to have prepared
all things necessary for the young gentlewoman," wherein
she had to consider of her own honour, and that her tailor
was now hurt (as indeed he was, in a drunken fray between
two of her servants), so as nothing could be prepared
for her.

I answered that it was well known that she was not
unprovided of sufficient clothes, and that she went from
hence to her father's house whence she was no stranger.

" I must tell you," saith this Queen, " that she is
unprovided of smocks, which are now in making, and she
may not want them."

" Madam," quoth I, " one smock is sufficient to bring
her home."

"I have brought her up," saith she, "now many years,
and I would be loth to leave her, but with the satisfaction
of her friends, and I know not if they have been truly
informed of my meaning herein."

I said I could assure her that her father had been truly
informed of the substance of the speech delivered by the
French Ambassador, which he had signified unto me by
his letters.

" Will you be content," quoth she, " to show me those
letters .? "

" Yea, truly, madam," quoth I, " for your satisfaction ; "
and so sending for them, showed them unto her, which

Keeper of Mary Queert of Scots. 205

also I have sent unto you ^ to the end you may know-
that nothing was contained in them meet to be kept
from her.

After many other words I prayed her to consider
that the motion came from herself, her Majesty had
yielded unto it, and the gentlewoman's father, dwelling
fifty miles from hence, had sent nine or ten horses for her,
and therefore wished her to take order that she might be
delivered. Hereupon she prayed me to give her respite
for one hour, at what time she sent Curie to signify unto
me her resolution, which was that having made this motion
unto the French Ambassador, she would not suffer the
gentlewoman to depart until she had answer from the said
Ambassador how her Majesty was satisfied therein, as a
thing which touched her in honour.

I answered Curie that the message was of such weight
as I would not receive it at a second hand, and therefore
prayed to have access again to his mistress ; which being
granted, this Queen telleth me the same in substance
(although with greater plenty of words) that had been
before delivered by Curie, adding that she could not
tell if Sir Francis Walsingham had truly delivered her
Majesty's mind, because she had been ill-handled that
way divers times heretofore.

I prayed her to think that you would not misreport
her Majesty, and that it would be thought above that
her Highness' pleasure signified by your letters and
reported by me, ought to carry as good credit with her as
anything that should come from the French Ambassador.

" Yea," quoth she, *' but I prayed the Ambassador to
move many other circumstances, wherein I am not yet
answered."

" Madam," quoth I, '' you have the substance of your
request, which is that the young gentlewoman should be
delivered to her father."

^ Sir Henry Pierrepont to Sir Amias Poulet, vol. xviii., n, 7, I.

2o6 Sir Amias Poulet,

" If I should deliver her," saith she, " after this sort, it
would be the slander of the gentlewoman, as though she
departed from me for some fault"

I answered that her departure was not sudden, and
that the matter had been long in question, and that her
father had been informed of the true cause thereof to
this Queen's honour, and to the full discharge of the
gentlewoman, as might appear by her father's letters
unto me, which she had seen. Then she came again to
her clothes, which I said would be no answer above.

When I saw that she would come to no reason, I told
her that I was commanded to deliver her to her father's
servants when they came for her, and therefore as far as
I could, I required that she might be delivered unto me ;
which being denied, I prayed her to give leave to signify
my comi mission to the young gentlewoman in her presence,
which I did, in the hearing of all those in the chamber,
which were many, and there declaring to the young gentle-
woman the motion made by the Queen her mistress, the
causes moving the same, her Majesty's yielding thereunto,
your advertisement thereof, as well unto her father as to
me, that her father had sent his servants to fetch her, and
finally the refusal of this Queen to deliver her, upon weak
grounds, which I then also confuted as well as I could ; I
required her to be content to depart with her father's
servants, wherein she should show herself dutiful and
obedient to the Queen my mistress, and should also do
good service to this Queen, although she did not so
take it.

After many words and many reiterations of my former
motion to the young gentlewoman, this Queen concluded
that she would not depart until she had heard farther, and
the young gentlev/oman said she would do nothing without
her direction. Then I told her that I could not draw her
out of her mistress' chamber by force, but required her as
far as I could, to depart with her father's servants ; wherein

Keeper of Ma7y Qiteeji of Scots. 207

I could get no other answer, and so I left them, and surely
I left this Queen as much perplexed as I have seen her
sithence my first coming to this charge, and no doubt,
howsoever it cometh to pass, she hath been overreached
in this matter, and now she cannot tell how to help it.

Hereupon I sent word to Mr. Pierrepont's servants that
this Queen would not assent to the delivery of the young
gentlewoman at this time, and that their master should not
send again for [her] until he had received new direction
from above.

I think my simple guess was not much out of the way,
which was that this Queen looked for nothing less than
that the young gentlewoman should be taken from her.
But if she should depart hereafter, I do not doubt but
that you will consider that her mistress will not fail to
make her profit largely of it, and although she may
have a good opinion of her other secret means, yet you
may believe that she will prefer this mean before all other.

Being willing to follow her Majesty's direction, signified
by Mr. Nicasius' ^ letters, as near as I might, I caused one of
my servants to lie in wait for Mr. Pierrepont's men and to
stay them from coming near to the house, to the end this
Queen might receive the first advertisement of this message
from myself, and therefore my audience being denied in
the evening, I did also refrain to advertise the cause, until
my coming to this Queen's presence.

And thus leaving these women's causes to your better
consideration, I commit you to the mercy and favour of
the Highest.

From Chartley, the 15th of June, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

Autograph postscript — I thank you most heartily for this
letter inclosed and for your other foreign advertisements.

1 Nicasius Yetsweirt, two letters from whom will be given later.

2o8 Sij^ Amias Poulet,

The "packet inclosed" in the following letter is not forth-
coming now. Pasquier was one of Mary's servants; "half a
secretary," Poulet afterwards called him.

Poulei to Walsingham}

Sir, — I received this last evening the packet inclosed,
after I had already despatched the post with my other
letters unto you, signifying unto Nau this morning
the cause of the stay thereof Hereupon he sendeth
Pasquier unto me yesterday at noon, to tell me that it
hath not been the custom that his mistress' letters have
attended any opportunity, but have been sent away
with speed.

I prayed him to tell Nau that his mistress did me wrong
to charge me with any such custom, and as I had observed
no such custom heretofore, so I would not bind myself to
any such custom hereafter, and that if this Queen's letters
had been delivered unto me before the departure of the
post, I would have sent them with mine, and that now I
would send them as I might.

Although I know no cause why this Queen's letters
should be sent away in post, or that her business should
in reason require it, and therefore will not bind myself
unto it ; yet because these letters are likely to concern
Mrs. Pierrepont's cause, and were written, no doubt, in
heat and choler, I have thought good to send them unto
you, wherein I have omitted of purpose one day, to the
end that Nau should know I did not like with his arrogant
message.

I did forget to signify unto you in my other letters
that among this Queen's other shifts for the detaining of
Mrs. Pierrepont, she alleged that the Countess of Shrews-
bur>' did not love her, and would be glad to take any
advantage against her, and that therefore it behoved her
to send Mrs. Pierrepont from her in good order.

^ Vol. xviii., n. 9.

Keeper of Mary Qtcee7i of Scots. 209

Also I remember that this Queen told me that she
had prayed the Ambassador to deal with Mr. Pierrepont
touching his daughter, wherein she was not yet answered,
but she would not dwell upon it, so as it seemed that she
repented to have said it.

Because it is likely that I may hear further in these
matters, I think it shall not be amiss to advertise me of
your pleasure touching Mrs. Pierrepont, before you shall
require the execution thereof, to the end I may forbear
the same until you shall hear again from me, if I shall
find good and reasonable cause. And thus wishing you
all happiness, I commit you to the safe keeping of our
good God.

From Chartley, the 17th of June, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

This Queen, willing to recover her desperate lameness,
hath taken much physic of late, wherewith she is now faint
and weak, and yet intendeth, as I am secretly informed, to
practise some other experiments which she received of Mr.
Doctor Baylye at his being with her, so as it is not likely
that she will come out of her chamber these many days.

It may please you to cause one of your servants to
deliver this packet to Mr. Nicasius.

We have in the next letter a good specimen of the way in
which Mary's letters were treated. The " second messenger "
was Thomas Barnes. When Babington wrote in July, he begged
that Mary's answer might be sent to Lichfield. Perhaps because
he was there, this new agent of Walsingham's was told to
make Lichfield his head-quarters. In order that he and the
brewer might not know each other's treachery, Mary's letter is
brought to Poulet by the brewer, sent to Walsingham in London,
for Phelippes' perusal, returned by Walsingham to Chartley, and
then sent by Poulet to Burton that Barnes might receive it from
the brewer's hands.
O

2IO Sir Amias PoiUety

Poulet to Walsingham}

Sir, — The honest man having received this present
morning this packet inclosed for the second messenger,
who (as it seemeth) stayeth at Lichfield of purpose for
the same, I have willed him to tell the said messenger
that this Queen is sick and troubled other ways, so as
he can receive no answer at this time, but is promised
that he shall not fail to have it on Saturday shall be
sevennight, being the 2nd of July, so as it is of necessity
that I must receive this packet again from you the last of
this present month at the farthest, because the next day I
must send it to the honest man's house. If you think the
time which I now give you to be too short for the perusing
of the packet, it may please you to signify unto me what
time I shall appoint hereafter.

I send unto you herewith all your copies and letters,
for the which I thank you as much as I can. And thus I
leave you to the mercy of the Highest.

From Chartley, the2ist of June, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. Poulet.

I cannot yet have opportunity to have sufficient talk
with the honest man, but I have given him four angels,
because he shall know that I have forgiven all that is
past.

In this case the delay for deciphering and perusal is in
another stage of the proceedings. The brewer received the
letter back from Poulet, that the substitute might have it, by
whom it was brought back again to Poulet. It is by no means
clear that Walsingham would take Poulet's view of the unim-
portance of the packet because it was "so little." It was
Mary's first letter to Babington, which being dated the 25th was
delivered to Poulet by the brewer on the very day on which it
was written. Walsingham was " expecting " Mary to write to
^ Vol. xviii., n. 12. Holograph.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 211

Babington, for Morgan's letter of April 29 [May 9th] had passed
through his hands, in which not only was the Queen of Scots
urged to write to him, but a draft of the letter she was recom-
mended to write was sent her. Answering Morgan,^ on July ^,
she says that at Gifford's ''last return from these parts, she had
at once three of his letters; one dated the 13th of June,^the most
part in Pietro his commendation; another the 9th of May [N.S.,
April 29, OS.] concerning Babington;^ and the third* of the
20th of July, '85."

But Mary had received one letter^ from Morgan before this,
"touching Babington," and Walsingham's treatment of it deserves
attention. It was dated Jul^ 26, 1585; Foley brought it to
England at the end of July. Walsingham kept it in his hands
till late in May in the following year, for Curie acknowledges its
receipt "as the bearer was ready to have been despatched" with
Mary's letter ^ of May 20, 1586. The reason is obvious when we
remember that signs of the Babington conspiracy did not show
themselves till about the middle of May, 1586. Nothing could
be more significant.

Potilet to Walsingha77i?
Sir, — The honest man on Saturday last, the 25 th of
this present, brought unto me this little packet inclosed,
which being so little as could be nothing answerable to
that which you expect, and was not likely to contain any
great matter, and the day of meeting between the sub-
stitute and the honest man approaching so near, I thought
good to stay the said packet in my hands for these few
days, to the end the honest man should not think that
I had intelligence with the substitute, and therefore sent
the said packet again to the honest man the 28th of this

^ Vol. xviii., n. 74; Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 421.
^ Vol. xviii,, n. 13.
^ Vol. xvii., n. 58; Murdin, p. 513.
* Vol. xvi,, n. 7 ; Murdin, p. 446.

^ There is no copy of it in the Record Office, but it is given by Murdin,
P- 453-

^ Vol. xvii,, n. 80 ; Labanoff, torn, vi., p, 328,
^ Vol. xviii., n. 22. Holograph.
O 2

212 Sir Amias Poulet,

present to be delivered to the substitute the 29th, and so
being returned unto me by the substitute I send it unto
you.

It may please you to signify unto me what course
I shall take with the substitute hereafter, which resteth
to be considered only by you, who are acquainted with
the secrets of the cause. And whereas you require me to
reward him, I purpose to give him five pounds, if I hear
not from you to the contrary by your next letters ; but I
would think that your friend's substitute at London should
procure his reward from this Queen, and if it be not sought
at her hands, she shall have just cause to think ill of it.
The truth is that he hath had many journeys by this
occasion, and therefore doth deserve to be well recom-
pensed.

The 27th of this present, at ten of the clock at night,
I received letters from Mr. Phelippes of the 25th, together
with two several packets, the lesser being the same which
I sent unto you the 21st of this instant, and which was
delivered to the honest man for the second messenger,
who attended his answer at Lichfield, and it is very
likely that this packet was delivered for him, because the
day appointed for meeting between the honest man and
the substitute was not yet come. Howsoever, this matter
was mistaken by this people or by the honest man, I
see no danger or inconvenience if we can be content to
have patience until the arrival of your friend, who as it
seemeth will be here shortly.

Mr. Phelippes hath set down a course for many things
to be done, which surely I dare not put in execution for
fear of the worst, wherein I am also the more fearful
because it seemeth there is hope that the 3rd of this
present, great matter will come from this people, which
might be in danger to be stayed if, [by] any mean, cause
of suspicion were ministered by any of the agents in this
intercourse.

Keeper of Mary Qiieeyt of Scots. 2 1 3

Mr. Phelippes would have the substitute to seize upon
this little packet now returned from you unto me, where-
unto the honest man will never assent without my especial
direction, because he is now to receive the said packet at
my hands. This adventure might breed many dangers,
and seemeth to serve to no other purpose than thereby to
deliver a letter from the substitute to Curie, the said letter
containing no matter that requireth especial haste, and
which may not be done more safely by your friend at
his coming.

All is now well, thanks be to God, and I should think
myself very unhappy if upon any instructions to proceed
from me, this intercourse, so well advanced, should be over-
thrown. I have therefore resolved to open the returned
packet, and to deliver only to the honest man the letter for
the second messenger therein contained, reserving the rest
according to Mr. Phelippes' direction, so as if any question
grow thereof hereafter (which is not likely) it shall be said
that the substitute finding the said packet in the honest
man's hands, seized upon it and took out thereof what
pleased him. Thus you see that I am curious to conserve
as well myself as the cause out of peril or hazard thereof,
wherein I am the more bold because I see nothing in
the other course that presseth, and yet being miscarried
between the substitute and the honest man, might bring
imminent danger.

The honest man believeth verily that this second
messenger came by direction from your friend, because
he bringeth a true token, which was that in such a place
your friend gave him two angels, and telleth me further
that the second messenger seemed to mislike greatly that
this Queen delayed to answer him, and said that his
business would not permit him to tarry so long in these
parts, but concluded that he would fetch fresh letters
and would return the 4th or 5th of this next month of
July. He calleth himself Barnes, and saith (untruly I

214 •'SVV Amias Poulet,

doubt not), that he is nearly allied to Sir Walter Aston
and Mr. Richard Bagot.

And thus I commit you to the mercy of the Almighty,
who give you strength of body and mind to overcome
the troubles of this troubled time.

From Chartley, the 29th of June, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

The honest man bringeth to the substitute at this time
two angels from this Queen, which surely I think should
have been delivered long before, and I marvel that the
reward is so slender, doubting lest the honest man hath
kept the better part for himself I find that the honest
man hath played his part at this time very well with the
substitute according to my instructions.

Addressed by Poulet io Walsmgham and endorsed by
Phelippes.

Poulet to Phelippes}

Sir, — You have set down a very reasonable and pro-
bable course in your letters as thin^ appear unto you
there, but I find here by reason of the circumstances so
many difficulties as I dare not proceed to the execution
of your direction in all things, which I forbear the rather
because I find nothing in your letters that presseth, and do
return your packet unto you inclosed herein.

I have written more at length to Mr. Secretary, and
thus willing to send a new packet unto you with speed,
I pray you excuse these short lines, which shall be longer
another time.

From Chartley, the 29th of June, 1586.

Your assured friend of old acquaintance,

A. Poulet.

To my very good friend, Mr. Thomas Phelippes, esquire.

^ Vol. xviii., n. 23. Holograph.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 2 1 5

Poidet to Walsinghamy
. Sir, — Your three packets of the last of June came
to my hands the 3rd of this present, at four in the
morning, and having perused all the letters addressed
to this Queen, I find nothing much worthy of adver-
tisement, and yet I thought good to trouble you with
this note inclosed.

I have refused to perform the content of this letter
inclosed from the Ambassador,^ as well because I would
not wade in matters of this quality without warrant, as
also that I would give no such precedent which might
make them bold hereafter upon like occasions.

Mr. Darrell, having taken order of late by my discre-
tion, and upon very good ground, for the restraining of
some things concerning the diet of this Queen's family,
the Master of her Household was sent unto me to know
if I were acquainted with it ; which, being avowed by
me and reported unto her, she commanded her Master
of Household to signify unto me that in other things
I was accustomed to say unto her that I had no
commission to do this or that, and therefore if I had
no especial direction from her Majesty or from the
Lords of her Highness' Council, she would not yield
unto it. I answered that I would not fail to cause the
order to be put in execution the next morning, and if
his mistress complained she should know my commission.
Yesterday, having first sent unto me her Master of
Household with a new complaint about the matter, and
receiving from me a resolute answer, she sent Curie to
pray me to come unto her to her chamber, where I
yielded such reasonable matter for the justification of
my doings as, after some words, she was satisfied.

■"^ Vol. xviii., n. 36.

* In behalf of a young Scotchman who had served in France, who is
•desirous to return to Scotland, and wishes to see his mother, an attendant
on the Queen of Scots (Vol. xviii. n. 36, I.).

2i6 Sir Amias Poulet,

Then she prayed me to advertise Mr. Pierrepont
that when he should send for his daughter, she should
be delivered. I said that without new direction from
her Majesty I could do nothing therein, whereupon she
prayed me to signify her proffer.

Cordaillot, among other things sent to Nau by the
carrier in his last journey, sendeth this paper inclosed,
by the which he bewrayeth his lewd opinion of our
nation, and therefore I thought good to retain the said
paper before it came to Nau's hands, and now I would
wish that it were rendered to Cordaillot, whereby he
may perceive that his slanderous conceits are bewrayed.
Having compared the said note with his other writing,
I find it to be written with his own hand. And thus I
commit you to the mercy of the Almighty.

From Chartley, the 7th of July, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

It may please you to do me the favour to cause this
letter inclosed to be delivered to my Lord Norreys.

In sending Gifford to be a spy upon the brewer and Barnes ^
Phelippes was acting on the adage, "Set a thief to catch a thief"

Gilbert Gifford to Phelippes}
Sir, — Two principal points (whereof many secondary
were derived, as we discoursed at our last being together)
were the cause of my coming hither for the trial of the
honest man, and the discovery of the second. In the
first we have so proceeded that the honest man is
totaliter ours, who is too glad to have thus escaped
with his 20/., besides many good angels, than to incur
the same danger. He seeketh nothing more than to
win credit with the governor in this service. There

^ Vol. xviii., n. 37.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 2 1 7

was never so fortunate a knave, so that there cannot
possibly be anything added to this point, and I think
he is sufficiently charmed for admitting any other but
the first man.

For the second, at my speaking with the honest
man, he told me that the second messenger was gone
to London a sennight and more before, and that his
appointment with him was uncertain.

Whereof this morning I have amply written to Sir
Amias, declaring the necessity of my return. The
conclusion of my letter is — either this party is at London
or no : if not, he will not be long in these parts, as
well for that I have his letter, as also to finger more
packets. Besides that, I will leave with the honest
man an earnest letter for his coming up.

If he be already at London, as is probable, not
repairing to the honest man in so long a space, then it
is likely that I shall find him there coming up speedily,
whence we will dispose of him. His name is Barnes. I
know him well, but I think he hath no chamber in
London, neither were it expedient you lean harder
of him for the case I told, for that would spoil all ; but
assure yourself, and I promise and undertake of my
credit, to cut him clear off from this course, and to
that end I have written to Z, the copy whereof you shall
see at our meeting.

I have no leisure but to commit you to God, this

7th of July.

Yours to command,

G. G.

I trust you have displayed \J: delayed] the journey
of P. Let them be dainty at the first, let scarce one
of them be seen. I would gladly deliver this packet to
you myself

Addressed — To my very loving friend, Mr. Thomas
Phelippes.

2i8 Sir Amias Poulet,

The packet that was intercepted by Phelippes was a large one
if it contained all Mary's letters of the end of June and the
beginning of July. We have letters of hers^ dated June 30 to
Cardinal Laurea and Pere la Rue, and July 2 to Mendoza,
Morgan, and Charles Paget. We have not got the letter to the
Ambassador which Phelippes made "fit for his handling." The
request to Walsingham to "resolve thoroughly and speedily" of
Babington's matters, is noteworthy. Gifford told Curie that he
had met with the packet on the way, and meant to deliver it
himself 2

Phelippes to Walsingham?

It may please your Honour, — According to your direc-
tion, meeting with the packet of Sir Amias between
Stilton and Stamford, I have opened the same, and I
have found a packet for the French Ambassador, from
the which I thought best to take with me to despatch
here and send you up fit for his handling with all
speed, because I know he expecteth the same earnestly.
By Sir Amias' letter to your honour, and our friend's
to me, I find all things to stand in so good terms as
my abode there will be the less but for Babington's
matters, which I beseech you resolve thoroughly and
speedily of And so I humbly take my leave.

Stilton, this 8tli of July, 1586.

Your honour's most humble at commandment,

Tho. Phelippes.

I departed London yesternight at nine, and had been
at Chartley at this time but for the extreme carelessness
of constables, and contempt of some of them, wherein
your honour must needs take order upon special services,
as this is. I forgot to know your honour's pleasure touching

^ Vol. xviii., nn. 41, 24, 28, 29 ; Labanoff, torn, vi., pp. 347 — 360.

2 Vol. xviii., n. 74 ; Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 423.

3 Vol. xviii., n. 38.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 219

the mad book that G. G. brought you of Foxley/ &c. The
greatest necessity of it is only the saving of G. G.'s credit,
who pretends no other errand. In which respect, if you
think good, it might be on the press in the meanwhile.

Gifford missed Barnes on the road between Chartley and
London. This letter, written immediately on his reaching
London, makes one wish that a few more of the letters between
the same parties had escaped destruction.

Mr. Froude^ is thinking of this letter when he says that
"Gifford, though he accompanied Ballard to England, was
personally ignorant of what was going forward; it was not till
afterwards that he learnt it in conversation from Ballard himself."
We have already seen^ that in truth, though not in Mr. Froude's
pages, it was Gifford who brought Mendoza to accept the plan of
regicide, when Ballard had failed with him.

So far from learning anything from Ballard in this conver-
sation, which Mr. Froude supposes to have been Giftbrd's
initiation into the plot, Gilford himself remarks that Ballard so
spoke as "thinking him privy to the course," and he was
apparently about to say, what Walsingham did not need to be
told, that Ballard was not far wrong in saying so.

Gifford said to Walsingham what he thought it prudent to say
and he is careful to disclaim much previous acquaintance with a
man who he knew would soon be tried for high treason. But it
is not easy to believe that he "was never well acquainted with"
Ballard.^ According to Chateauneuf, whom Mr. Froude generally

^ This is the book against Father Persons and the Jesuits, the joint work
of Gifford and Gratley, mentioned in a previous note {supra, p. 189). Gifford,
when a prisoner in Paris, said that he would have been released if Gratley had
not been taken, who was in the Inquisition at Padua for the book against
Persons {Dom. EHz., vol. ccxiv., n. 35). The book was evidently printed by
"Walsingham, to whom Henry Ceesar wrote, "the which book Phelippes your
man did send unto Lily" (Domestic, Addenda, Elizabeth, vol. xxx., n. 120).

^ History, vol. xii., p. 132.

^ Supra, p. 146.

* Gifford said to Phelippes more than he had said to Walsingham, denying
with an oath that "ever I had any other acquaintance with him or knew him
otherwise than man I never saw" (Vol. xx., n. 45). But this was written
after he had fled to Paris, for fear lest he should be tried with Babington's
accomplices.

220 Sir Amias Poulet,

follows, it was Gifford who "fit passer en Angleterre " this
miserable conspirator.

Mr. Froude gives this account of the interview related
in this letter. "Ballard, who, without mentioning names, had
now communicated the secret to Gilbert Gifford, told him that
before any active step could be taken, *he must obtain the
Queen's hand and seal to allow of all that must be practised
for her.' Without this his labour was vain, and nothing could
be done. He had himself promised that he would not write to
her; but Babington was about to make use of Morgan's intro-
duction to send her a few words, and Gifford must convey his
letter by the secret channel." Babington " about to make use of
Morgan's introduction " in the middle of July, when, in conse-
quence of Morgan's letter of April 29, Mary had written to
Babington on the 25th of June ! When had Ballard "promised
he would not write to her ? " As a matter of fact, he did not
write to her, for Mary says to Morgan,^ " I have heard of that
Ballard of whom you write, but nothing from himself, and therefore
have no intelligence with him."

Gilbert Gifford to Walsingharn?

Right Honourable, — Barnes hath not yet appeared in
any of his frequented places, so that I think he came not
as yet to town. I know not whether he hath been with
the Ambassador, for I dare not go thither till such time
as I bring the packet with me. I am assured he shall
no sooner come to the town but I shall hear of him^
and needs he must come for I have his letter with me
from Q[ueen of Scots].^

I trust Mr. Phelippes will meet the said packet by the
way and peruse it, that it need no delay in delivery.

Touching the practice in hand, before my last coming
over in discourse with Morg[an] I smelled something afar

^ Vol. xviii., n. 74; Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 425.
2 Vol. xviii., n. 40.

2 Probably Mary's letter to Barnes of June 19 (Vol. xviii., n. lo), in answer
to his of the loth {Ibid.^ n. 6).

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 2 2 1

off, and he told me that he had sent one to soHcit interest
here ; promising me that in time I should know all, as
occasion should serve ; for it is their custom to discover
things by little and little, albeit they trust one never
so much.

Now yesterday, by great inquiry, one Ballard found
me out. I never was well acquainted with him, but he
told me that he had sought me greatly, and that he
knew my endeavour thoroughly in the behalf of the
cause, and that he purposed verily to have come to
me in the country, " for," said he, " I thought you were
there." After great entertainments, at the length he
brake with me into great complaint of Morg. and Chad.
P[aget], saying that they promised him intelligence very
oft, and that he never heard from them since' his coming
over. Hereof I gave him some reasons of their delay.
Then he told me that at his coming over he was directed
to me, and that finding me not, he was in great perplexity,
thanking God that we were met together to be an help
one to another. He told me that he was on Saturday
night with the Ambassador,^ and he expecteth letters
daily.

" But," said he, '' if they will not perform that they
promised, we will do at the least our parts," by which
words I perceived that I [he] thought me privy to the
course [which indeed erased].

I asked him what was to be done on our parts. He
replied that I must needs obtain of Q[ueen] her hand

^ Gififord ** fit passer en Angleterre un pretre Anglais, nomme Ballard, qui
avait autrefois servi d'espion a Walsingham contra les Catholiques, et qui
depuis, reconnaissant sa faute, s'etait du tout departi de son accointance,
ainsi que Ton disait. Le diet Ballard etait pour sa doctrine fort estime des
Catholiques, la plupart desquels ignoraient ce dont il s'etait autrefois mele ;
il vint a Londres, et quelques jours apres, il vint au logis de I'Ambassadeur de
France, avec un autre, savoir s'il n'y avait point de lettres de France pour lui
qui lui etaient adressees sous un nom suppose, et la salua I'Ambassadeur dans
sa galerie, sans entrer en propos aucuns, ni se decouvoir a lui, ni a sou
secretaire, sinon pour Catholique" {Chdteauneuf^s Memoir ^ Labanoff, torn.
vi., p. 288).

222 Sir Amias PotUet,

and seal to allow of all that should be practised for her
behalf, " without the which," said he, " we labour in vain,
and these men will not hear us."

I answered that it was a matter of great importance,
and that we should expect Morg. and P. to do it. He said
the matter would go long and that he was in great danger.

" Well," said I, *' in my opinion this was never obtained
hitherto by any man, and the granting thereof will be
hard. But what persuasion, what probability of success,
can you leave before Q. whereby he \_sic\ can be moved to
grant it t " Said he, " I will undertake within forty days
to procure his [altered from her] liberty."

" Well," said I, '' let us think of it, and to-morrow I
will answer you ; " so he parted out of town, and left his
man with me for answer, which he is ceaseless earnest in.

This Ballard is the only man used in this practice
whatever it be, which I cannot thoroughly discover the
first day, but in time it will be easy, for he desireth my
company and help therein.

What your honour thinketh good I shall answer him
I desire to be informed, and how far I shall join with him
and keep him company, w^hich doing it is unpossible but
I shall discover all.

He complained much of Sir T. Tresham and my
cousin Talbot, for not only they would not hear him,
but threatened to discover him, " and," saith he, " unless
we obtain that from Q. all is but wind."

I beseech your honour, as soon as the packet shall
arrive that it be conveyed to me by this bearer, before
which time I cannot go to the Ambassador.

Ballard told me that your honour had an inkling of
some things, especially of the Ambassador's intelligence
with Q. Your honour hath some very corrupted men
about him whereto great regard is to be taken.

He told me that Phelippes was gone to Chartley for
the removing of Nau and Pro [de Preau].

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 223

I trust your honour considereth how necessary it is to
entertain D[octor] G[ifford] and Gratley, for hereby they
be persuaded that there is no other deahngs of mine but
that only, otherwise it were unpossible but I should be
suspected.

D. G. coming over would colour me much, as also I
can know his whole thoughts, and no doubt he would be
greatly employed so that by him I should understand all
their courses, for he can hide nothing from me.

Thus protesting before God that nothing shall pass my
hands and hearing, but your honour shall soon understand
it, beseech the Almighty long to protect your honour.

This nth of July.

Your honour's faithful servant,

G. G.

Mr. Froude quotes ^ the next letter and adds, " Some remorse
he could not choose but feel. She was in his toils, and he was
too certain that she would be meshed in them. Another letter
from her and the work would be done." The only sign of
remorse Phelippes showed was to put a gallows on the outside
of the letter which he sent to Walsingham. He quotes the
warning verse as applicable to himself

Phelippes to Walsinghain?
It may please your Honour, — The packet is presently
returned which I stayed in hope to send both it and the
answer to B[abington]'s letter at once. In the meanwhile
beginning to decipher that which we had copied out before.
And so I send your honour her letter to the French Am-
bassador,^ which was in cipher, and her letters to the Lord

^ History, vol. xii., p. 138.

" Vol. xviii., n. 48.

^ The letter to Courcelles (now lost) was inclosed in her letter of July -^,
to Chateauneuf (Vol. xviii., n. 44 ; Labanoff, torn, vi,, p. 368), The letter to
Lord Claude Hamilton is only dated July (Vol. xviii., n. 27; Labanoff,
torn, vi., p. 371). "The short note sent to Bab." was Nau's letter to Bab-
ington dated July 13, N.S. (Vol. xviii., n. 43), in answer to Babington's
inquiries about Robert Foley (Vol. xix., n. 9).

2 24 . Sir Amias Poztlef^

Claude and Courcelles out of cipher. Likewise the short
note was sent to Bab., wherein is somewhat only in answer
of that concerned Foley in his. We attend her very heart
at the next She begins to recover health and strength
and did ride abroad in her coach yesterday. I had a
smiling countenance but I thought of the verse,

Cum tibi dicit Ave, sicut ab hoste cave.

I hope by the next to send your honour better matter.
In the meanwhile humbly take my leave.
Chartley, the 14th July, 1586.

Your honour's most humble at commandment,

Tiio. Phelippes.

It may please your honour to command the delivery
of the letter to my servant wherein is some matter for
your secret friend.

If the posts make any reasonable speed, these will be
with you by to-morrow noon, and G. G. may have delivered
his packet and received the answer by Sunday, which then
despatched hither would give great credit to the action, for
otherwise we look not to depart this sevennight, and there-
fore as good all that belongs thereto were done here as at
London.

"The packet sent by Mr. Phelippes" was Babington's letter,
placing the plot before Mary, which thus came to her straight
from Walsingham. Its possession, no doubt, brought Phelippes
down to Chartley. " Such answer given in writing as the
shortness of the time would permit," must be Nau's letter
to Babington about Poley,^ which Phelippes mentioned with
greater exactness in his letter to Walsingham, for Mary wrote
but two letters to Babington.

Poulet to Walsingham?
Sir, — Your letters of the nth of this present coming to
my hands yesterday at eleven before noon, I have no other

^ Vol, xviii. , n. 43. ^ Vol. xviii. , n. 49.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 225

thing wherewith now to trouble you than to send unto you
the packet intercepted upon the way by Mr. PheHppes,
and also to advertise you that the packet sent by
Mr. Phelippes hath been delivered and thankfully received,
with such answer given by writing as the shortness of the
time would permit, and with promise to answer more at
length at the return of the honest man, which will be
within three days.

I cannot thank you enough, first for your messenger,
my old good friend Mr. Phelippes, and then for your
messages, as well by mouth as by writing ; for your
favour wherein I shall rest your debtor as long as I live.
As knoweth the Almighty, to whose safe keeping I
commit you.

From Chartley, the 14th of July, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

I am prayed to convey unto you this packet inclosed
from this Queen to the French Ambassador.

The proposal that some one should "disguise himself Hke a
gentleman of ability" and personate Emilio Russo to the French
Ambassador is worthy of Walsingham's spy system. The gentle-
man in disguise was to "give credit to Berden,"i who was now
" discovered to be a lewd fellow," as Morgan wrote ^ to Gififord at
this time.

Phelippes to Walsingham?

It may please your Honour, — I send you herein
Mr. Harborne's letter in answer of yours sent by Captain
Ellis, and therefore sealed up and deciphered by myself.

1 had letters from G. Gifford by Mr. Hugh Offley. He
hath great credit for his service and puts me in hope to
discover somewhat of importance, smelling as he saith

* See foot note, p. i68.

2 Thomas Sansellen to Nicholas Comellys, July 9 (Vol. xviii., n. 39).
2 Vol. xviii., n. 56.

P

226 Sir Amias Poulety

such matters as I would wonder at, protesting that which
I doubt not of his care to discover it speedily. He
saith he findeth that Morgan hath sent over two, as he
terms them, of great government and discretion, to set
upon some other. Albeit I doubt not but our intercourse
continuing, they will be discovered. Yet I wish, for more
assurance, somebody were advised of to appear in his
likeness before the French Ambassador, which is yet the
only want here. If you think Berden a meet man, as I
see no cause truly of the contrary, for my part it should
need but to get somebody to disguise himself like a
gentleman of abil[ity] for once to come and talk with the
Ambassador as Emilio Russo, and he to give that credit
to Berden which should serve the turn hereafter, and this
might any man do. But without question the Ambassador
will look for the party after one despatch at the farthest.
It may please you therefore to think of it one way or other.
And so I humbly take my leave, this 17th of July, 1586.

Your honour's always most bound at commandment,

Tho. Phelippes.

At last Poulet was "wonderfully comforted," though Elizabeth
*' pinched " him to the last. Mary's third letter to Babington was
in Phelippes' hands, and a copy, with a gallows on the cover,
on its way to Walsingham and Elizabeth. Was that copy a true
one, free from interpolations? Or was it not until afterwards
that the interpolations were made? That there were interpola-
tions made no one can doubt who reads the letter as printed
by Prince Labanoff; but whether Phelippes inserted them before
Walsingham saw the letter or afterwards no one can now tell.
The probability is that the decipher sent to Walsingham was a
genuine copy of Mary's letter to Babington. Phelippes no doubt
thought it abundantly sufficient evidence to bring her to the
scaffold. /It was an elaborate instruction how an insurrection
might be organized and war made upon the Queen of England.
Such a letter would have been high treason in a subject, beyond
all doubt; but Mary was an independent sovereign, though a

Keeper of Mary Qtceeyt of Scots. 227

captive, and Walsingham may well have felt that something
more was required to induce Elizabeth to proceed to extremities
against her. She must be shown to be a party to the plot for
Elizabeth's assassination, and for this purpose the interpolations
were made/ The reader must judge for himself whether the
passages marked by Prince Labanoff formed a part of Mary's
letter. The whole letter is too long for transcription. The
material passages are the following :

" Les choses estant ainsy preparees et les forces, tant dedans
que dehors le royaulme, toutes prestes, il fauldra \alors mettre les
six gentiiskoinmes e?t besoigne et\ donner ordre que \leur desseing
estant effedue] je puisse, quant et quant, estre tiree hors d'icy, et
que toutes voz forces soynt en ung mesmes temps en campaign e
pour me recevoir pendant qu'on attendra le secours estranger,
qu'il fauldra alors haster en toute dilligence. [Or, d'aidtant qu'on
ne peult constituer ting jour prefx pour Vaccomplissement de ce que
lesdicts gentilshomjnes ont entreprins^ je vouldrois quHlz eussent
tousjours aupres d'eulx ou pour le moings en cour, quatre vaillans
ho7nmes bie?t month pour donner advis en toute dilligence du succez
dudict desseing^ aussytost qu'il sera effectue, a ceulx qui auro7it charge
de me tirer hors dHcy, ajin de sy pouvoir transporter avafit que mon
gardien soyt advertis de ladicte exeaition, ou, ct tout le moings, avant
quHl ayt le loisir de se fortijier dedans la maison, ou de me
7nen€r ailleurs. II seroyt necessaire qtCon envoy ast deux ou trois de
diets advertisseurs par divers chemins, ajift que Vung venant d
faillir, F autre puisse passer oultre, et fauldroyt en ung mes7ne instant
essay er d'empescher les passages ordinaires aux postes et courriers^

"C'est le project que je trouve le plus a propos pour ceste
entreprinse, afin de la conduire avecq esgard de nostre propre
seurete. De s'esmouvoir de ce coste devant que vous soyez
asseures d'ung bon secours estrangier, ne seroyt que vous mettre,
sans aucun propos, en dangler de participer a la miserable fortune
d'aultres qui ont par cydevant entreprins sur ce sujet j et de me
tirer hors d'icy sans estre premierement bien asseurez de me
pouvoir mettre au milieu d'une bonne armee ou en quelque lieu
de seurete, jusques \ ce que noz forces fussent assemblies et les
estrangiers arrives, ne seroyt que donner asses d'occasion ^ ceste
Royne Ik, si elle me prenoyt de rechef, de m'enclorre en quelque
P 2

228 Sir Amias Poulet,

fosse d'ou je ne pourrois jamais sortir, si pour le moings, j'en
pouvois eschaper a ce prix la, et de persecuter avecq toute extre-
mite ceux qui m'auroynt assiste, dont j'auroys plus de regret que
d'adversite quelconque qui me pourroyt eschoir a moy mesmes."

Supposing the italicized passages to have been in the original,
the letter will have run thus : " When your preparations both in
England and abroad are complete, let the six gentlemen who have
undertaken to assassinate Elizabeth proceed to their work, and
when she is dead — leur desseing estant effectiie — then come and
set me free; and be sure you have at least four men ready to
bring me the earliest information of the Queen's death — du
succez dudict desseing.

"But do not take any steps towards my liberation until you
are in such force that you may be able to put me in some place
of perfect security, lest Queen Elizabeth should take me again,
and shut me up in some inaccessible dungeon, or lest if she
should fail in recapturing me, she should persecute to extremity
those who have helped me, which I should feel more than any
adversity of my own."

Could Prince Labanoff help saying that there is here an
evident contradiction ? Could Mary have said, "Do not move
till Elizabeth is dead, and after that so manage my escape that
she may not be able to hurt me or my friends?"

Now will the reader believe that Mr. Froude has entirely
suppressed all mention of the paragraph in Mary's letter, in which
she begs that care may be taken that the attempt to rescue her
may not move Elizabeth to inflict fresh and more severe perse-
cutions upon herself and her partisans ? He has done so, and we
must suppose that he accounts it fair and just so to do. But
besides the suppression of this passage, the meaning of the
sentences of the letter is twisted throughout Mr. Froude's
" condensed" version, ^ as he calls it, so as to make them refer
to the scheme for Elizabeth's murder instead of that for Mary's
escape and the invasion of England.

The intrinsic evidence of forgery is so strong as to be con-
clusive by itself, but it is supported by extrinsic evidence not
less conclusive. First, there is Nau's confession'- of September 5,
^ History ^ vol. xii., p. 144. ^ Vol. xix., n. 90.

Keeper of Mary Queeii of Scots. 229

countersigned by the Lords of the Privy Council, which ends
thus : " Quant a la lettre escripte a Babington, sa Majeste me la
bailla pour la pluspart escripte de sa main, et i'ay rien faict ny
escript comme j'ay proteste sans son expres commandement et
specialement touchant le point de son eschapper et mettant la
feu aux granges pres de la mayson." It is clear what Nau
thought were the most grievous points in the letter, and he
tries to exculpate himself and to throw all the responsibility on
Mary for the project of her escape, and for the proposal to set
the outhouses on fire. Would he have been content to bear
the blame for the clauses respecting Elizabeth's assassination ?
Plainly he had never heard of them.

Secondly, in the heads of accusation that were first drawn
up against Nau and Curie, there is no allusion made to any
clause concerning ''the six gentlemen." In a paper in Phelippes'
hand,^ endorsed by Lord Burghley, " 4 September, 1586, from
Philipps," there occurs no accusation more specific than the
following — " The heads of that bloody letter sent to Babington,
touching the desseingment of the Queen's person, is of Nau his
hand likewise."

The Hardwickc State Papers - say of the trial at Westmmster,
" There was also showed forth a paper written by Nau containing
the short minutes and notes of the principal points of Babington 's
letter, and of the Scots' Queen's letter to Babington, which was
found among her papers at Chartley, which on being showed
to Nau by some of the Lords of the Council, he upon sight
thereof confessed it to be his own hand, saying that upon
reading Babington's letter to the Scots' Queen and her direction
given for the answering of the same, he did set down the same
notes to serve as a memorial for him for the writing of other
letters. In this paper, amongst other points is contained the
coup, which can hardly be construed to be meant otherwise
than the blow or stroke for killing her Majesty." Now one
of two things is true, and either exculpates Mary. Either
the heads produced were really those of Mary's letter to
Babington, and then those notes are identical with those
of her letters to Glasgow, Mendoza, and Paget, in none
^ Vol. xix., n. 85. - Ilanhvickc State Papers, vol. i., p. 235.

230 Sir Amias Poulet,

of which is the coup Elizabeth's assassination, but the enterprize
upon Chartley for Mary's rescue. In this case the same heads
for the letter to Babington will mean that the same things were
to be written to Babington. The coup is not, then, the assassina-
tion, but the assault upon Chartley. Or else, which is far more
likely, the heads produced at the trial were really those of the
letters to Glasgow, Mendoza, and Paget, wilfully separated from
Nau's statement to that effect ;i separated, because if they had been
known to be the heads of letters that were then produced, the
real meaning of the word coup would have been unmistakeable.

Thirdly, Mary herself especially denied the authenticity of the
interpolated passages. The letter ^ Mr. Froude has seen, for he
quotes from it Lord Burghley's phrase, "this Queen of the
Castle," but he does not quote Maiy's denial. Perhaps it may
be said that Mary denied everything, and that therefore her
denial of these passages is of no value. But this is not true. She
denied that she had received such a letter from Babington and
had returned such an answer, and this the Hardwicke State Papers^
show conclusively against the narrative published in the State
Trials. She could hardly deny the assassination passages without
acknowledging the rest of the letter. But when the letter was
proved against her, she left the evidence to speak for itself, and

^ Secours cle dehors.
Forces dans le pais.
Armee d'Espagne au retour des Indes.
Armee of Trance au mesme temps, si la paix se faict.
Guise, s'il ne passe, tiendra la France occupee.
De Flandres, de mesme.
Ecosse, au mesme temps.
Irlande, aussy.
Coup. Sortie.

Ceulx cy sont les poinctz qu'en presence de la Roine ma maistresse et par
son commandement je tiray pour faire la depesche en France, a scavoir,
a I'Archevesque de Glasco, a I'Ambr. d'Espaigne, et a Charles Paget.
Quant a la lettre escripte a Babington, sa Majeste me la bailie pour la plus
part escripte de sa main, et j'ay rien faict ny escript, comme j'ay proteste,
sans son expres commandement et specialement touchant le point de son
eschapper, et mettant la feu aux granges pres de la mayson. 5 Sept., 1586,

Ainsi signe Nau.
W. Burghley. G. SlireAvsbuiy. H. Hunsdon.
H. Derby. C. Howard. W. Cobham.

J. Croft. F. Walsingham. (Vol. xix., n. 89, 90.)

2 Cotton. MSS., Caligula, C. ix., f. 533.
^ Hardwicke State Papers y vol. i., pp. 233, 237.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 231

then she made special exception against these sentences in the
letter that relates to the Queen's murder. Speaking of " this
day's work," October 15, the last day of the trial, Lord Burghley
said to Secretary Davison, " This Queen of the Castle was
content to appear afore us in public to be heard, but in truth
not to be heard for her defence, for she could say nothing but
negatively, that the points of the letters that concerned the
practice against the Queen's Majesty's person were never by
her written, nor of her knowledge; the rest, for invasion, for
scaping l3y force, she said she would neither deny nor affirm."

But, says Mr. Froude, whether or no the passages italicized
formed a part of Mary's letter, " if any part of it was hers," she
was an accomphce in Babington's guilt, for it contains "a full
general approbation of his intended proceedings and no pro-
hibition of, and therefore a tacit consent to, the murder." It
is not true that Mary's letter contains a single expression that
-can be interpreted as a " full general approbation " of all that
was contained in Babington's letter. Mary tacitly rejected the
plan of assassination. She writes taking Elizabeth's life for
panted. But she never explicitly mentions the plot. Her
letter is written exactly as though Babington had simply asked
her advice how they should manage an insurrection and her
rescue. Mr. Froude says that Mary told Charles Paget "that
she had answered him [Babington] point by point." She does
not say so. The word "answered" is Mr. Froude's, and not
hers. She said,^ "I have made them a very ample despatch,
containing, point by point, 7ny advice on all things requisite, as
well for this side as for without the realm, to bring their design-
ments to good effect." She did not answer Babington's letter point
by point, though in her trial, as well as by Mr. Froude, it was
alleged that she had so answered it. Her advice is given point by
point on all the details of a simultaneous invasion and insurrection.

Mr. Froude says that the letter "was sworn to by the two
secretaries in the deciphered form in which it was produced by
Walsingham." The following are the hesitating attestations of
Nau and Curie. " Je pense de vray que c'est la lettre escripte par

1 Cotton. MSS., Caligula, C. ix., f. 278 ; Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 401.

232 Sir Amias Poulet,

sa Majeste a Babington, comme il me souvient. 6 Septembre, 1586.
— Nau." '' Telle ou semblable me semble avoir este la response
escripte en frangoys par Monsieur Nau, &c. — Gilbert Curle."
We have no reason to believe that their depositions upon oath were
in other terms. These attestations were brought forward at the trial.
If anything more positive existed it would not have been kept back.
Mr. Froude further asserts that "Phillipps' copy of the cipher
was examined by the Privy Council and the decipher verified."^
But on what authority are these statements grounded? If the
cipher was endorsed by the Council, this in no way proves that
it had been tested by the key or alphabet. And as to Phelippes'
original decipher, far from this having been verified, it was not so
much as produced. Nothing but copies of Babington's letter
and Mary's alleged reply were put in evidence, nor was Phelippes
himself even brought forward to attest on oath the agreement
of those copies with his own decipher. Again, obviously with
a view to secure the reader's acceptance of the French copy
produced, as in truth Phelippes' decipher, Mr. Froude represents
Mary's own letter to Babington as written in French. But taking
it for granted, improbable as it seems, that the original was^
French, then the endorsement upon this particular copy, "Tournee
d'Angloys en Francoys," will stamp it as a translation twice
removed from the original document.^

^ History, vol. xii., p, 142.

^ Nau stated that he drew Mary's answer in French and read it to her,
which being done, Curie put it into English by her commandment, and after
read it unto Nau, and then by her commandment, Curie put it into cipher.
Curie states explicitly that Mary ordered him to burn the English copy of the
letter sent to Babington {Hardwicke State Papers, p. 237), Nau affirmed
(September 21), that he took the points in the Scots' Queen's letter to
Babington of her own mouth from point to point in the same as he put in
writing, whereupon he did draw the letter in French, and after brought it
unto her, and she corrected it in such sort as it was sent to Babington (Ibid.,
p. 236). All letters, it was also deposed, were first drawn by Nau in French,
and after Mary had examined his draft, '■^ if they were to be loritten in English,
then did Curie translate them out of French into English," he read them in
English to Mary, and then "he did put the same into cipher, and so they
were sent away." This was sworn to have been "the course holden" with
her letter to Babington {Ibid., p. 235). The language, though not conclusive,
seems on the whole to describe the July letter to have been, like the letter
in June and Babington's answer, in English. However, be that as it may,
this "deciphered form produced by Walsingham," is nothing but a French
translation, for its endorsement is unmistakeable.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 233

" The original cipher, having been passed on to Babington, was
never recovered," says Mr. Froude. Perhaps so ; yet either the
original or Phelippes' copy of it was in the possession of Elizabeth's
Ministers, for Lord Burghley wrote on the margin, of " A brief
plot for the course of proceedings against the Scottish Queen," ^
where he mentions her letter to Babington, "Note that the
cipher be carried with us." Yet it was henceforward no more
produced than the decipher that Phelippes marked with the
gallows.

Mr. Froude says that Phelippes sent the original ciphered
letters to Babington, and that the reason that it was not received
by him for eleven days was that Barnes could not find him.
This is, he says, in answer to the argument of Prince Labanoff,
that the original cipher was detained by Phelippes for eleven
days, in order that it might be tampered with. But even though
the dates when the letter reached and left Phelippes had been
those that Prince Labanoff supposes, the present question would
not have been affected, for that original cipher is not forthcoming,
and we are concerned only with the translation into French, and
that Phelippes had undoubtedly the leisure to manipulate at will.

Mr. Froude contends that Mary's letter to Babington of July W
was forwarded to its destination on the very day after it reached
Phelippes' hands, " like the rest of her letters." The facts show
that from first to last all Mary's letters remained for some time
in the decipherer's hands. Take for instance her packet to the
French Ambassador intercepted by Phelippes at Stilton, on his
way down to Chartley, July 8, of which he writes to Walsingham
that after having manipulated it "he will send it with all speed."
Poulet does not forward the packet to Walsingham until July 14.
Phelippes' letter to Walsingham, July 19, by no means proves
that the original cipher to Babington had already passed out of his
hands. His chief evidently knew that he still held it, for writing
to recall him in answer to Phelippes' letter, he simply requests
the decipherer to bring with him the original. Phelippes took
it up with him July 26, O.S. Babington did not receive it till the
29th, O.S. Of course Babington was easily persuaded that the delay
was solely due to his absence from Lichfield.

1 Cotton. MSS., Caligula, C. ix., f. 507,

234 Sir Amias Poulet,

It is worthy of notice that, as the Hardwicke Papers^ and
Camden- show, Babington received his first letter "by a boy
unknown to him," — Barnes' boy, in fact. His answer he sent
"by the same unknown boy." Upon which "she answered
twenty or thirty days after in the same cipher by which he
wrote unto her, but by another messenger." The first letter to
Babington was, we see, really sent through Barnes and delivered
by his footboy. The second letter, that which Phelippes calls
the "bloody" one, which did not reach Babington till twenty or
thirty days after his letter to her, came " by another messenger."
Naturally this letter had been from the 17th to the 29th in
the hands of Phelippes and Walsingham, and was delivered to
Babington in London, not by Barnes' messenger, but by theirs,
"a homely serving-man in a blue coat."

Phelippes to Walsingham?
It may please your Honour, — You have now this
'Queen's answer to Babington, which I received yester-
night. If he be in the country, the original will be
conveyed unto his hands, and like enough an answer
returned. I look for your honour's speedy resolution
touching his apprehension or otherwise, that I may
dispose of myself accordingly. I think under correc-
tion you have enough of him, unless you would discover
more particularities of the confederates, which may be
[done] even in his imprisonment. If your honour mean
to take him, ample commission and charge would be given
to choice persons for search of his house. It is like enough
for all her commandment, her letter will not be so soon
defaced.* I wish it for an evidence against her, if it please
God to inspire her Majesty with that heroical courage
that were meet for avenge of God's cause and the security

^ Hardwicke State Papers^ vol. i., p. 227.
^ Annales Renim Anglicarum, 1625, p. 434.
^ Vol. xviii., n. 61.

•* "Ne faillez brusler la presente quant et quant" (Vol. xviii., n. 51 ;
Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 394).

Keeper of Mary Quee^t of Scots. 235

of herself and this State. At least I hope she v/ill hang
Nau and Curie, who justly make Sir Amias Poulet take
upon him the name she imputes to him of a gaoler of
criminals. / He trusteth that her Majesty will have better
consideration of all things necessary for his charge than it
appeared to him by my Lord Treasurer lately she had,
saying he had so many soldiers, and pinching at the
charges, which is no small offence to him, I assure you.
But being wonderfully comforted with these discoveries.

I have sent your honour herewith of this Queen's
letters in the packet was last sent those to the Bishop of
Glasgow, Dr. Lewis, and Morgan.^ You may see how she
is weary of her keeper, who in truth hath made no such
change of his behaviour, but thought it policy to colour
matters with his ordinary proceeding used before, thinking
remissness would have discovered the practice. She is
very bold to make way to the great personage, and , I fear
he will be forward in satisfying her for her change till he
see Babington's treasons, which I doubt not but your
honour hath care enough of not to discover which way
the wind comes in.

I am sorry to hear from London that Ballard is not yet
taken, and that some searches by forewarning have been
frustrate. There was great mean made unto me at my
coming away for one Thorowgood by your honour's favour
to pass the sea. It was pretended that he sought to avoid
Mr. Vice-Chamberlain's wrath, being one touched with the
death of Best. But it was a notorious enemy who was the
setter on of the suit and Mr. Vice-Chamberlain's man, and
it was whispered unto me that it should be Ballard to pass
under that feigned name. I was not assured, and therefore
rejected the motion, although a good gratification were
spoken of, which made it the more suspicious. Howbeit,
I have had, even in this country, inkling it should be he or

^ Cotton. MSS., Nero, B.vi., f. 400; vol, xviii., nn. 78 and 74; Labanoff,
torn, vi., pp. 381, 412, 420. The letter to Dr. Lewis no longer exists.

236 Sir Amias Poulet,

as bad a man. If it please your honour by Berden and
my man to try it by a warrant, which you may stop by a
counter-warrant to be sent to the port of Rye, where he
may be apprehended. If good come of it, I would be glad ;
if not, he shall have no great injury if it be Thorowgood,
and Mr. Vice-Chamberlain may bear the name.

And so attending your honour's speedy resolution
whether we shall attend any longer here, I humbly take
my leave.

Chartley, this 19th of July, 1586.

Your honour's most humble at commandment,

Tho. Phelippes.

It may please your honour by Berden or my man to
inform yourself whether Babington be at London or no,
which known we will resolve presently upon return.

We come now to the forged postscript, the authenticity of which
Mr. Froude boldly maintains against every respectable authority
on the subject, from Camden downwards. The generally received
view of this forgery — that after its fabrication by Phelippes, that
particular scheme for connecting the Queen of Scots with the
six conspirators being abandoned, the sentences fixing guilt
upon her were interpolated into the body of her letter —
this very probable hypothesis is presented by Mr. Froude, with
a half sneer at the "chivalry" which suggested it, as a theory
set up by Prince Labanoff. Mr. Froude apparently forgets that
the Prince simply reproduces Mr. Tytler's line of argument, and
that the judgment pronounced on the postscript is not merely
that of a chivalrous partisan, but the judicial verdict of a high
historical authority.^

Prince Labanoff has pointed out that eight contemporary
copies of Mary's letter to Babington are in existence, some

•■ The whole history of the Babington conspiracy and Walsingham's plot
has been impartially investigated by Mr. Tytler, and the reader is especially
referred to his " Historical remarks on the Queen of Scots' supposed accession
to Babington's conspiracy" {Ilisto7y, vol. viii., App., n. 14).

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 237

in English and some in French, and that in none of them
is this postscript found. Nothing is produced for it what-
ever from among the papers of the Queen of Scots that were
seized at Chartley, nor is any mention made of it in any of
their letters by Phelippes or Poulet Nothing was said about
it at Mary's trial, nor at any of the previous examinations of
her secretaries. Nau's letter to Babington about Foley was
produced, but of this important postscript not a word was heard.
The copies of the Babington correspondence sent over to Faris
by the English Government before the trial at Fotheringay did
not include it.^ Surely in such a case the negative argument is
conclusive proof, and to it may be added the fact that the cipher
endorsed by Fhelippes, looks to the eye extremely unlike those
which are Curie's undoubted work. In fact what Mr. Tytler
found in the Record Office,^ endorsed by Fhelippes as " The
postscript of the Scottish Queen's letter to Babington," is his first
draft of an addition made by him to the letter to Babington, in
which, as it was only a draft, it was not worth his while to imitate
Curie's ciphers. The sentence erased in the middle of the post-
script bears out this view.

Camden informs us^ that the postscript was "craftily added
in the same cipher " to the letter sent to Babington. " Subdole
additum eodem charactere postscriptum, ut nomina sex nobilium
ederet, si non et alia." Now why should such a postscript have
been added if the inculpating passages were in the original letter ?

^ The summary of Mary's letter to Babington made by Mendoza for
Philip is conclusive on this point. Mr. Froude asserts that Mendoza believed
that Mary was a party to the assassination plot, and **told the King that she
had implicitly acknowledged it in a letter to himself." This letter Mendoza
expressly says is not in cipher. Would Mary have been so imprudent as to
write of Elizabeth's murder without that safeguard ? Besides, all her corres-
pondence having passed through Walsingham's hands, can it be supposed that
such a letter as Mr. Froude suggests was actually written and no copy of it
produced at the trial? The letter really referred to the Spanish invasion.
So far was Mendoza from belief in Mary's guilt that he replied to Elizabeth'
Government in respect of Mary's letter to Babington, that this was not the
first occasion upon which Walsingham and Cecil had forged letters, and that
having the ciphers of the Queen of Scots in their hands, they could insert
at will passages inculpating her (Mendoza to Philip, 8th November, 1586,
Teulet).

^ Vol. xviii., n. 55.

^ Annalesy p. 438.

238 Sir Amias Poulet^

Babington was intended to gather from it that Mary approved of
the assassination, which in the body of the letter she had tacitly
condemned, assuming, as we have seen, the life of Elizabeth and
not her death. The postscript had its purpose to serve with
Babington, but it would not have been evidence against Mary,
and therefore the postscript was abandoned and the insertion
made in the text of the letter.

Mr. Froude says^ that Prince Labanoff "conceives that
Phelippes intended first to make a mere addition, that he
changed his mind, and recomposed afterwards the entire letter,
that it was detained for that purpose, and that although one of
the most dexterous manipulators of cipher in Europe, he did
his work so clumsily that it can be seen through with ease by
a critic of the nineteenth century."

Granted that Phelippes was a most skilful decipherer, he
was here employed in copying or translating, and not in
deciphering. Though " one of the most dexterous manipulators
of cipher in Europe," the insertions are clumsily done, so that
"they can be seen through with ease by a critic of the nineteenth
century." If Phelippes had brought his skill in ciphering to
bear, he might have baffled us no doubt, but he had no unusual
skill that would enable him to insert phrases into a letter that
were inconsistent with its tenour.

Mr. Froude finds it hard to say what other name should be
given to Prince Labanoff's argument from the postscript than the
epithet "preposterous," for it implies that "Phelippes preserved,
endorsed, and placed among the papers to be examined by the
Privy Council, his own first draft of a forgery which he rejected
as unsuited to his purpose." That Phelippes preserved and
endorsed the paper is true, but how does Mr. Froude know that
it was placed before the Yrivy Council ? If it had been, it would
have been signed by the Lords of the Council. It was given to
Walsingham no doubt, and thus it has come down to us amongst
the State Papers. If Walsingham was in possession of a note so
compromising to Mary in the original cipher, why did he not
produce it against her ? We are told that the original cipher of
the letter to Babington was sent to him and could not be
^ History y vol. xii., p. 143.

Keeper of Mary Qtcee^t of Scots. 239

recovered. According to Mr. Froude, Barnes or Emilio took charge
of this postscript together with the letter. How came the cipher of
one to be recoverable and not of the other ? Having it, we should
suppose that they would have supplied for the absence of the ori-
ginal of the long letter, by at least producing that which they had,
the cipher of the postscript, which itself contained matter that would
bring Mary's head to the block. What explanation is there but
that of Prince Labanoff, preposterous as it seems to Mr. Froude,
that Phelippes and his master were content with one forgery
without producing a second ? If this postscript had been produced,,
some recognition of it would have had to be extorted from Nau
and Curie. It was easier far to get from them who knew that
a long letter had been written, an attestation of a copy into
which passages had been inserted without their knowledge, than
it would have been to induce them to authenticate a fabricated
postscript. And how does it happen that Nau and Curie were
not taxed with having written it P^

But Mr. Froude has discovered a proof of the authenticity of
this conclusive yet unused postscript, in the letter which is next
submitted to the reader. "A note from Curie to Emilio," he
says "explains the mystery. Some 'addition' to the letter had
been sent by mistake. It had perplexed Emilio, who had written
to know what it was and what he was to do with it. Curie
answered, ' I doubt by your former, which I found some difficulty
in .deciphering, that myself have erred in setting down the
addition which I sent you, through some haste I had then in
despatching thereof. I pray you forbear using the said addition,
until that, against the next, I put the whole at more leisure in
better order for your greater ease and mine.' Curie was by that
time aware that Babington had not been at Lichfield, and, there-
fore, supposed rightly that the letter was still in Emilio's keeping.
His description applies exactly to the 'postscript' which forms
Prince Labanoff 's text."

Let the reader test this theory of Mr. Froude's by substituting
the word postscript for addition in the fragment of the letter quoted

1 Dr. Lingard has very fully shown what was confessed by Mary's secre-
taries and the bearing of their evidence upon this point {Histofy, Ed. 1844,
vol. viii., p. 434, note M.).

240 Sir Amias Poulet,

by Mr. Froude, and he will see at once that the letter is turned
into nonsense. This is an evident proof that Curie's description
does not " apply exactly to the postscript." How could Emilio,
whoever it was who passed under that name, or Barnes, "forbear
using the "^zx^^^ postscript 'i Or how could Curie " put the whole
postsa-ipt at more leisure in better order for Barnes' greater ease,
and his own ? " Indeed, how was Barnes to know which was letter
and which was additiofi ? Did he carry open letters to Babington,
and was he possessed of the key to decipher Babington's letters ?

The fact is that the addition was not a postscript to a letter,
but a supplement to the cipher by which Barnes communicated
with Curie. Every one of these practisers or intelligencers had
their separate alphabet or cipher. Mary's letters tell us so plainly.
For instance, she says to Morgan, " Mercier, for whom you have
sent me an alphabet, hath yet written nothing unto me. Herewith
be three other alphabets to be distributed as you find cause, until
I send you more."^ Indeed, in her letter of the 2nd of July,
she speaks of a man who, "coming near to this house sent
me your foresaid last which he delivered by Pietro [Gifford]
his means, and the same man having written unto me a very
honest letter in Pietro his alphabet, hath omitted the uttering
of his name therein, neither given me any sign whereby I may
know how to discern him assuredly by [from] another. For I
have not nor cannot yet employ him, albeit I have sent my
answer with a particular alphabet for himself whosoever he
be." 2 He was Barnes, as his own declaration at the end of his
letter 3 of June 10 shows most decisively, though why he should
have communicated anonymously with Mary, making an offer of
his service, when he was already in correspondence with Curie,
it is not easy to see. Mary's answer to him,* dated June 19,
says, " In the meanwhile I do herewith send you a new alphabet,
conform to your desire."

As Mr. Froude must have seen from the letter on which he
builds his theory, Barnes brought Mary " such occurrents " that

1 Vol. xviii., n. 74; LabanofF, torn, vi., p. 425.

2 Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 355, from the Cecil Papers, at Hatfield.
^ Vol. xviii., n. 6.

* Vol. xviii., n. 10.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 241

she gave him "continual thanks for his care and travail."
To communicate this news, he needed an alphabet or cipher.
Curie sent him some addition to it, and as it was written
down in haste, he concluded that there must in consequence
have been some error in it. He therefore prayed him to
"forbear the using of the said addition until that against the
next, he should put the whole at more leisure, in better order
as he hoped to do both for Barnes' greater ease and his own," for
Curie had " found Barnes' letters difficile in deciphering, and
therefore some points less intelligible then he wished." This
could surely have been gathered from the letter Curie wrote to
■ " Emilio," and even from that part of it that Mr. Froude quotes.

But we are not left to deductions. Curie says to Barnes,
July 17, "Herewith is the addition to the alphabet;''' and Barnes
answers, July 20, " I received your alteration of the alphabet.
... I wish for great expedition also in writing, that you would
assign special characters for a number of the most common
words." 1 Curie answered, July 22,2 "With my next, I shall
do my best to satisfy you touching the other characters."

The two letters from Mary to Babington, of which Curie
wrote in the letter of July 28, were those dated the 13th
and the 17th of July. The first was Nau's letter to Babington
about Foley; the second was the fatal letter. Mr. Froude,^
neglecting the information contained in Phelippes' note to
Walsingham of July 14th, says that the letter "was apparently
in two parts." The letters were sent by Curie to Emilio, but it
is not to be forgotten that neither Gifford nor any of his substi-
tutes were ever seen by Mary or her secretaries. The letters in
all cases fell into Phelippes' hands, and it was by him^ that the
answers were drawn up that they sent.

Of the "boy" whom Barnes is to send to the French
Ambassador he said to Curle,^ in order to make the treachery
more natural and plausible, " I was bold to pray the Ambassador

^ Vol. xviii., n. 57, 63.

2 Vol. xviii., n. 42, wrongly dated in the Calendar July 12.

^ History, vol. xii,, p. 146.

* See, for instance, vol. xviii., n. 63.

5 Vol. xviii., n. 6, in the Calendar erroneously entered as " with n. 26."

Q

242 Sir Amias Poulet^

to bestow an angel upon him, which would be a great encourage-
ment to him, being a footboy, to run it, being also the manner
of our nation, and a trifle in the whole year to her Majesty." He
is no doubt the "laquay" whom Mary recommended^ to Chateau-
neuf. " Continuez, je vous prie, toujours k gratifier ce laquay de
ce que trouverez bon, toutes et quantes foys qu'il vous portera
aulcunes lettres de ma part, et Femployez sur mes parties.'
We have here the "unknown boy" who delivered Mary's first
letter to Babington.

It is plain from the allusion to Emilio's "brother" in Curie's
letter, that Mary had been told that " the substitute," whoever he
was, and Barnes, " the second messenger," were brothers, cousins
to Gifford. So she says^ to Morgan, that it was not for her to
retain Pietro, that is Gifford, in imminent danger in the country,
" when he had established as he hath done the honest brethren,
kinsmen of his, to serve the turn in his absence."

Apparently Mary was led to beUeve that more persons were
employed in her affairs than there really were. Curie wrote ^ to
Barnes, " I trust you have caused [to] deliver her Majesty's
answer to the second messenger, although (to say truly) her
Majesty agreeth with your cousin Gilbert his advice not much
to employ the man, neither hath her Majesty been willing at any
time to [take] this course for her part with any other than
yourself, your brother, and your cousin Gilbert." Gifford's
motive in casting doubts upon Barnes under the title of the
" second messenger," must have been to colour the deception,
unless indeed by thus multiplying themselves the knaves could
obtain more money from the Queen of Scots.

Singular care was taken that Emilio might not be known.
Gifford, even in his ciphered letters to Phelippes, takes care not
to mention his name. "When Morgan examined me secretly,
touching the parties that conveyed letters, I was forced to name
two, whereof Barnes was one, and for that purpose I dealt with
Barnes, never thinking," he says with an oath, " but to make him
a colour for Emilio ; and his writing once or twice would cause all
blame to be removed from myself when things should be opened,

^ Vol. xviii., n. 44; Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 370.

2 Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 355. ' Vol. xviii., n. 87.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 243

which I knew must be shortly, . . . but I thought to have with-
drawn him after that Morgan had fully perceived that the convoy
was sure ; and one thing I will tell you, if you handle the matter
cunningly, Barnes may be the man to set up the convoy again for
Paget, and Morgan be never in rest inquiring for him. I have
feigned as though the matter is irrecuperable, and therefore I have
speculated on the point." Phelippes followed the crafty advice
and for years kept up a correspondence with Charles Paget
through Barnes. "If you have Barnes," Gifford continues, "keep
him close \ if you have him not . . . feign his hand to me. His
name is Pietro Mariani, and I pray you, use Emilio no more. Let
him be one of them that were hanged, for before God they will
suspect. "1 Phelippes did as he was told, and wrote to Gifford
that Emilio was one of those that were hanged.^

The endorsement of this letter, "Curie to Emilio" is in
Phelippes' hand. The other letters of Curie to Barnes are
addressed to him under the name of Barnaby.

Curie to Emilio.
Sir, — Her Majesty giveth you continual thanks for your
care and travail taken to let her understand of such occur-
rents as you do, whereof frequently her Majesty cannot be
advertised by others, as by the rare coming of secret
letters unto her hands which pass through yours you may
well judge. Your desire to have warning beforehand shall
be satisfied so well as may be, which hither-till hath not
been much forgotten, and specially for the sending of this
inclosed packet, whereof I wrote to you ten days before the
day appointed for despatching thereof, and should have
been sent unto you on Monday last were it not that those
which came with yours the same day caused it thus so
long to be stayed. Her Majesty prayeth you now to send
it away by your boy to the French Ambassador, so soon as
you may goodly. And if you think that you can find
Babington at London by the same means to make her
Majesty's two letters, which you have already, be surely

^ Vol. XX., n. 45. 2 Domestic y Elizabeth ^ vol. ccii., n. 38.

Q 2

244 ^^^ Amias Poulet,

delivered unto him. Doubting by your former (which to
tell you truly I found difficile in deciphering, and therefore
some points less intelligible then I wished) that myself
have erred in setting down the addition which I sent you,^
through some haste I had then at despatching thereof, I
pray you to forbear the using of the said addition until
that, against the next, I put the whole at more leisure in
better order, as I hope to do both for your greater ease
and mine. If I have not mistaken your meaning, touching
the mark that is for you, it is your desire that in your
absence her Majesty's letters or mine requiring speedy
deciphering, that on the back thereof for your brother his
better direction as you name it, your said mark may be
written twice or thrice, which until you let me know the
contrary shall be so. God Almighty preserve you.
Friday, the 7th of August [July 28, O.S.].

CURLE.

The "papers sent herewith" were Mary's letters^ to Charles
Paget, Sir Francis Englefield, Chateauneuf, and Mendoza, which,
as far as we know, complete the packet. Poulet's pious rejoicings
as Mary's danger increases, correspond very little with Froude's
belief^ that "he probably liked ill the work that he was about,
when he found the turn which it had taken."

Potilet to Walsingham!^

Sir, — I should do you wrong to trouble you with many
words, the papers sent herewith containing matter enough
of trouble for some time. God hath blessed your faithful
and careful labours, and this is the reward due for true and
faithful service.

And thus trusting that her Majesty and her grave
Councillors will make their profit of the merciful providence

^ In the marg. Against Curie.

2 Cotton. MSS., Caligula, C. ix., f, 354; vol. xviii., n. 76; vol. xix.>
n. 15, 2 ; Labanoff, torn, vi., pp. 399, 404, 427, 431.
2 History ^ vol. xii., p. 139.
* Vol, xviii., n. 62.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 245

of God towards her Highness and this State, I commit you
to the mercy and favour of the Highest.
From Chartley, the 20th of July, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend^

A. POULET.

We have in the next letter an admission that throws all
necessary light on Walsingham's subsequent conduct. Mary was
heir apparent to the throne of England, and if Elizabeth were
to die, she would be Queen. " Little comfort for their travail "
was in store under such circumstances for the "instruments in the
discovery." Up to this time, all that had been done might
possibly have been concealed from her. Henceforward this is
impossible, and Mary must die, if these "instruments" are to
live. It will not be Walsingham's fault if " a good course " is not
" held in this cause."

Walsingha?n to Phelippes}

Sir, — At your return you shall from her Majesty's self
understand how well she accepteth of your service. I
hope there will be a good course held in this cause.
Otherwise, we that have been instruments in the discovery
shall receive little comfort for our travail. At your return
come as quietly as 3^ou may, for that the practisers are
jealous of your going down, and the gallows upon the
packet sent hath greatly increased their suspicion. Some
of them are very inward with our post of London.

Hope Bal. will be taken before your return. My friend
remaineth still here. And so in haste I commit you to God.

At the Court, the 22nd of July, 1586.

Your loving friend,

Fra. Walsingham.

Bab. shall not be dealt withal until your return. He
remaineth here. The original letter unto him you must
bring with you.

1 Vol. xviii., n. 68.

246 Sir Amias Poulet,

Poulet to Walsmgha?7t}

Sir, — I should do you great wrong to trouble you with
long letters at this time, when Mr. Phelippes cometh unto
you, who can inform you of the true state of all things here.

Mr. Waad shall he very welcome, and I trust his
message will bring me great satisfaction many ways.

-This Queen writeth very truly that I am no fit keeper
for her, and she may say as truly that this house is no
fit lodging for her.

I leave all these things to the better consideration of
her Majesty, and so do take my leave of you, committing
you and your labours to the direction of the Highest.

From Chartley, the 26th of July, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. Poulet.

Poulet to Phelippes}

Sir, — Besides the familiar use of letters between you
and me, I did not know if anything were contained in this
letter inclosed, which might require present execution, and
therefore was bold to open it. I trust you are safely
arrived at the Court, and it seemeth by Mr. Secretary's
letters that upon your coming thither some resolution will
be taken. God grant it be good, to whose blessed tuition
I commit you.

From Chartley, the 29th of July, 1586.

Your assured friend,

A. Poulet.
To my very good friend, Mr. Thomas Phelippes, esquire.

Pojilet to Walsingham?
Sir, — Your letters of the 24th of this instant arriving
here on the 27th of the same at six in the evening,
Mr. Phelippes was then twelve or fourteen miles on his

^ Vol. xviii., n. 73. ^ Vol. xviii., n. 88. Holograph.

'^ Vol. xviii., n. 89. Holograph.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 247

way towards you, not doubting but that he is safely
arrived with you.

I thank God with you for the happy news you have
received from Sir Francis Drake, and do thank you most
heartily for your advertisement thereof.

You make mention in these letters of a counter-cipher
in these words, viz., '' I pray you, sir, send me word
whether the counter-cipher I delivered unto you, for that
there will be use thereof in respect of the causes we are
to deal in hereafter." It seemeth that there is defect of a
word or two which maketh the sense unperfect, so as I
can give you no other answer than that to my remem-
brance I had no cipher of you sithence my entrance into
this service, whereof I thought good to advertise you,
because I do not know what hasty use there may be
thereof.

And so I commit you to the mercy and favour of
the Highest.

From Chartley, the 29th of July, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

None of the letters next mentioned as having been written
" with greediness " are in the Record Office. Those that are in
the Calendar under the date July 27, are of July 17, O.S., and
were taken by Phelippes. Mr. Thorpe has changed some of the
new style dates into old style, but not all, which is very confusing.

Poulet to Walsi7igham}

Sir, — I have no other cause of writing at this time than
to convey unto you this packet inclosed, which bewrayeth
that this people is sharp set, and writeth with greediness,
as knoweth the Almighty, who keep you now and ever.

From Chartley, the 30th July, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. Poulet.

^ Vol. xviii., n. 91.

248 Sir Afnias Poulet,

The plan proposed by Poulet in the following letter was new
perhaps in some of its details, but in the main similar orders had
been given by Elizabeth several years before, though they were
then recalled. Elizabeth gave instructions,^ January 16, 1580, to
Lord Shrewsbury, Sir Ralph Sadler, and Sir Henry Pelham, to
remove Mary from Sheffield to Ashby, and then, she continues,
"immediately upon your imparting to her this our commandment,
you shall seize upon all her writings and letters, both in the
custody of herself and also of her secretaries, and of any others
that deal with her secret affairs ; which if she, or her secretaries,
or any other, shall refuse to deliver, or suffer you to take in quiet
manner, in that case our pleasure is that you shall use all means
to have the same, by taking their keys or otherwise by breaking
their coffers, desks, cabinets, and other things where the same
wTitings may be found; and then, without further perusing of
the same, or any of them, to put all such writings and letters
into convenient or sure coffers or trunks, and sealing up the same
with the seals of you all three, or of two of you, you our said
cousin [Lord Shrewsbury] shall bring the said coffers and
writings safely unto us." These instructions were not the conse-
quence of a Babington conspiracy.

Poulet to Walsingham?

Sir, — I heard from Mr, Waad yesterday, at six after
noon, and this morning I met with him in the open fields,
where I conferred with him at good length, as may appear
by these notes inclosed.

Mr. Bagot deserveth to be thanked by letters for his
faithful service. He procured the substitute, and was the
only messenger between him and me. He hath been
charged and troubled many ways, as knoweth the
Almighty, who always preserve you.

From Chartley, the 3rd of August, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. Poulet.

^ State Papejs of vSir Ralph Sadler, vol. ii., p. 355.
^ Vol. xix., n. 7. Holograph.

Keeper of Mary Qtceeft of Scots, 249

Inclosure ift Poidefs handivritmg —
A memorial for Mr. William Waad.

1. That her Majesty doth think meet Sir Amias Poulet
should consider in what sort the Queen his charge's writing
might be best seized, whether remaining there or removing
her to some other place under the colour of hunting or
taking the air.

This Queen will be easily entreated to kill
a stag in Sir Walter Aston's park/ where order
being taken with her, some gentlemen of credit
may be sent forthwith to possess her chamber
and cabinets in this house, and to remove out of
them the gentlewomen which they shall find there.

2. That he also consider how Curie and Nau may be
best apprehended, and in what sort.

It seemeth meet that Nau and Curie be appre-
hended at the very instant of the challenge made
to this Queen.

3. That there sljall be some especial gentleman sent
from hence to conduct them up, if he find none other or
shall so think meet.

I would not advise that this shire should be
unfurnished of any gentlemen of trust and credit,
but that two gentlemen be sent from above to
take the charge of the conducting of Nau and
Curie, thereby to keep them from conference.
Pasquier is half a secretary and much employed
in writing, and perchance not unacquainted with
great causes.

4. That he consider whether it be not fit to remove
her, and to what place he shall think meet she should
be removed ; what necessary persons are to be retained
about her, and in what sort she shall be kept.

^ '* The park was a very noble one, five or six miles about, with five or
six hundred head of deer, with about thirty or forty red deer " (Sir Edward
Southcote's Narrative; Trotibles of our Catholic Forefathers, first series, p. 403).

250 Sir Amias Poulet,

The cabinets and other places cannot be duly-
searched unless she be removed, because the doing
thereof will require some leisure, and she cannot be
lodged in any other place in this house than where
the cabinets are. Three gentlewomen, her master
cook, her panterer, and two grooms of her chamber
may seem to suffice in the beginning of this remove,
which may be increased when things shall be settled.

5. To advertise in what sort he thinketh meet she
should be removed, and under what guard.

Sir Walter Aston's house seemeth for many
causes the fittest for this remove, who may convey
her directly from his park to his house with the
assistance of my horsemen and others. I think
he will require to be assisted with my guards of
soldiers, who may take their table and lodging
in the village adjoining, and because the house is
of no strength, if I were in Sir Walter Aston's place
I would require some stronger guard.

6. Whether he have not already sufficient commission
for the calling of the assistance of the well-affected gentle-
men unto him, and if he have not, then to advertise what
further commission he will require.

I have already her Majesty's commission for the
levying of forces in very ample manner.

7. Whether he do not think it meet to have some
especial gentleman sent from hence to acquaint that
Queen with the cause of her Majesty's attempts towards
her.

I do not see how any man here can take
knowledge of these secrets, and therefore meet to
commit the same to some gentleman to come
from you.

8. That some servant of his own be sent up with all
speed with his resolution touching these points, as also
such other matters as he shall find requisite to receive

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 251

informatiom from hence. That the party that shall be
sent be in no sort made acquainted with the matter.

One of my servants cometh herewith, utterly
ignorant of all these things.

9. That her Majesty hath thought meet you should
stay there to assist him wherein he may have use of you.

Mr. Waad stayeth here, but Mr. Bagot's house
being much resorted unto, he retired to the house of
a gentleman of meaner calling of his acquaintance.

10. That he carry a watchful eye over his charge, and
that in such sort as may engender no suspicion.

This shall be performed as near as I may.

11. That the extraordinary posts be commanded to use
more diligence, and to that purpose to keep two horses at
the least in the house for the packets.

It seemeth meet that this order come from you,
and I will also require it.

12. To signify his opinion touching the gentlemen in
that county, and in other counties next adjoining, who are
well affected and fit to be used for this service.

I have lived as a prisoner in this country and
therefore not well acquainted with the state thereof,
but I have conceived upon good experience a very
good opinion of Sir Walter Aston, Mr. Bagot, and
Mr. Gresley, all three neighbours to this house.
Mr. Trentham is one of the lieutenants of this
shire and of very good report, but I have had
little to do with him.

13. To consider what order shall be taken with the
unnecessary number of her servants, especially with young
Pierrepont.

Although I take Mr, Melvyn to be free from all
practices, and indeed liveth as a stranger to his own
company, and hateth Nau deadly, yet I think meet
that he be removed from his mistress to some
gentleman's house, as likewise Mrs. Pierrepont ; who

252 Sir Amias Poidet^

may be sent, the one to Mr. Trentham, and the
other to Mr. Bagot, directly from Sir Walter Aston's
park. The residue of the servants may remain in
this house until further order shall be taken.
Endorsed — Sir A. Paulett's postills^ to Mr. Waad's
Memorial.

Poulet's plan was adopted, but definite orders to carry it into
execution cannot have reached him before the loth. But if the
orders were received late in the afternoon of the 8th, it can
hardly have been "le meme jour," as Prince Labanoff says,^ that
they were carried into execution. John Allen wrote a report,^
February 11, of the communications that passed between himself
and Nau.

Poiilet to Walsinghain.^

Sir, — This bearer, your servant Mr. John Allyn, arrived
here with your letters unto me this present day at six
after noon, who hath delivered unto me your full mind in
the matter touched in your said letters, which shall be duly
performed, by the grace of God, to whose blessed tuition
I commit you and your heavy and troublesome charge.

From Chartley, the 8th of August, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

The following instructions, the draft of which is in Walsing-
ham's hand, were brought to him by Mr. Gorge. Poulet was
not able to follow these instructions literally, for, as he says in
a subsequent letter, he had his "hands full" at Tixall. The
gentlemen who were employed on this service, were, we learn
from Camden,^ John Manners, Edward Aston,*^ Richard Bagot,

^ Postil^ Fr. postille, a gloss, a marginal note. Johnson.

^ Tom. vi., p. 437.

^ Vol. xxi., n. 17.

^ Vol. xix., n. 22. Holograph.

^ Annates^ p. 441.

® Sir Walter Aston died in 1589. Sir Edward his son was made a knight
banneret by Queen Elizabeth on his coming of age. He was the father of
"Walter, first Lord Aston, so that the statement {szip'o, p. 99) that Lord Aston
was the son of Sir Walter needs correction.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 253

and William Waad. The draft of the letter of Elizabeth to
Poulet was also written by Walsingham.

Instructions for A. P.^

You shall, with all convenient speed as you may, under
the colour of going a hunting and taking the air, remove
the Queen your charge to some such house near to the
place where she now remaineth as you shall think meet for
her to stay in for a time, until you shall understand our
further pleasure for the placing of her. And to the
end she may be kept from all means of intelligence, we
think it convenient you give order that such as are owners
of the house where you shall place her for a time shall be
removed, saving such persons as are to furnish all neces-
saries of household, of which number there would be no
more left remaining in the house than necessity shall
require.

You shall return [to] Chartley from the place where
you meanwhile remove her, cause her servants Curie and
Nau to be apprehended and to be delivered to the hands
of some trusty gent, of that county, or the counties next
adjoining, such as you shall know to be discreet, faithful,
and religious, to conduct them to London with some
convenient guard, where there shall be order given for the
bestowing of them.

You shall also take order with the said conductors to
see them brought up in two several troops, and to have an
especial care that they may be kept from conference with
any person in their way towards London, and to appoint,
in places where they shall lodge, good standing watches to
be kept in the night season.

You shall, immediately after she shall be departed from
Chartley, search all such papers as shall be found either in
her own lodging, or in the lodging of any that appertain to
her (taking care that all secret corners in the said lodging

^ Vol. xix., n. 31.

254 ^^^ Amias Poulet,

be very diligently sought), to be seized and to be put up in
some bags or trunks, as by you shall be thought meet. In
execution of which service we think it very convenient for
many respects that you should use, besides our servant
Waad, two principal gentlemen of credit either of that
county, or of some shire of the counties next adjoining ;
for which purpose we think John Manners the elder and
Sir Walter Aston very meet to be used, if they shall [be]
found in the country, or some of like quality, whom we
would have in no sort made acquainted with the said
service until the said Queen shall be removed, and they
brought to the place when and where it shall by you [be]
thought meet to be performed.

You shall cause the said gentlemen, together with
Mr. Waad, to seal [with] their seal of arms the said bags
or trunks where the said letters and papers shall be placed,
and to send up two of their trusty servants, together with
Waad, with the said writings.

You shall do well, during the time of her abode in the
the place and house to the which you shall remove her, to
cause some substantial watches to be kept both about the
house, as also in the town next adjoining, wherein we
doubt not but that you will have an especial regard to use
the services of such the justices and gentlemen in that
county as you shall know to be well affected, giving them
especial charges to make choice of well affected men to be
employed in the said watches, and not such as are known
to be recusants, or otherwise ill affected.

And in case you shall see cause, for the better
■strengthening of yourself, to use some other well-affected
gentlemen in the counties next adjoining, you may therein
use your own discretion, for which purpose we have sent
unto you certain letters signed by us, referring the direc-
tion of them to yourself.

And whereas our meaning is not that hereafter she
shall have such number of attendants upon her person as

Keeper of Mary Queeyi of Scots, 255

she hath heretofore had, we think meet, therefore, that you
make choice of so many of her train, both men and
women, as you shall see only necessary to attend on her
person. And for the rest of her train, we think it con-
venient that they should be kept together at Chartley, in
such sort as there may be no access had unto them until
you shall understand our further pleasure how we shall
afterwards think meet they shall be bestowed.

For your better assistance in this service, we have
thought good to send unto you this bearer our servant,
Thomas Gorge, one whom we know to be most faithfully
devoted unto us, to be by you used in such sort as shall
appertain to one of his place and calling. We have in no
sort made him acquainted with the cause of his employ-
ment, but have referred him to receive directions from you,
who we think meet should deliver as much in speech with
the said Queen as is expressed in our letters to you.

Endorsed — August 9, 1586. Instructions for Sir A.
Poulet.

Queen Elizabeth to Poulet}

Right trusty, &c., — We having of late discovered some
dangerous practices, tending not only to the troubling of
our estate, but to the peril of our own person, whereunto
we have just cause to judge both the Queen your charge
and her two secretaries, Nau and Curie, to have been both
parties, and assisting in a most unprincely and unnatural
sort, and quite contrary to our expectation, considering the
great and earnest protestations she hath heretofore made
of the sincerity of her love and goodwill towards us. Our
pleasure therefore is, that first you cause the two secretaries
to be apprehended, and to be sent up unto us under good
and sure guard, and that you do presently remove the said
Queen unto some such place as by you shall be thought
meet, and there to see her securely kept, with so many

^ Vol. xix., n. 30.

256 Sir Amias Poulet,

only of her train to tend on her person as by you shall be
thought necessary, until you shall understand our further
pleasure therein.

Endorsed — A minute of a letter to Sir A. P.

Chateauneuf's letter to Mary — the last he wrote to her —
is dated August 5.^ Of this journey of Du Jardin, and of
another journey that followed it, Chateauneuf says in his
Memoir,^ that on July fj Gilford came to Cordaillot and said
that it was of importance that he should send a messenger
into France in all haste, for letters to and fro were too slow
for their purpose. Gifford was accompanied by Savage, one
of Babington's accomplices, and a third person, who was to
be the messenger. "Pour lors I'ambassadeur depechait un des
siens vers le roi, nomme Du Jardin, qui revenait d'Escosse, ou
ledit sieur ambassadeur Favait envoye pour le service du Roi;
et, se presentant cette occasion, le secretaire lui dit que leur
homme pourrait passer comme serviteur dudit Du Jardin, portant
sa malle, et cela fut ainsi arrete entr'eux; et furent avertis du
jour du partement, qui etait le lendemain au soir a la maree, par
la voie de Calais." The next evening, just as Du Jardin was
starting Gifford came, equipped for the voyage, and saying that
he had changed his mind about sending a messenger, and
would go himself On this the Ambassador took him aside,
and in the presence of Du Jardin and Cordaillot spoke to him
seriously of the danger he was bringing on the Queen of Scots.
His frequent journeys, he told him, betrayed the existence of
some plot, and he begged him not to be urged by those who
were out of the reach of danger, and especially by Mendoza,
to undertake anything that might cause risk to Mary, "a ne
perdre pas cette princesse, laquelle avait des ennemis pres la
Reine." The Memoir here unfortunately breaks off, the latter
portion being lost. Du Jardin crossed that evening, July 21,^
and Gifford went with him, never to return. He left behind

^ Vol. xix., nn. 15, 16.
^ Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 292.
The despatch he carried is in the Bibliotheque Nationale at Paris, and
shows the correctness of this date. Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 292.

Keeper of Mary Qtiee?i of Scots, 257

him, Camden says/ the half of a torn paper with the French
Ambassador, with instructions that letters from the Queen of
Scots or any of the Catholic exiles were to be given only to
the person that should produce the other half of the paper;
and that other half he left with Walsingham. On the 15th
August he wrote from Paris both to Phelippes and Walsingham,
hoping that his sudden departure was not judged " sinistrously."
Phelippes and Walsingham answered him through Cordaillot —
which seems strange — but he said he had left his cipher behind
him and could not read their letters.^ As the CathoHcs had dis-
covered all, he was in great disgrace with them, but Walsingham
and Phelippes would find him the same man as long as they
would deal secretly. On the 3rd September he wrote again to
Walsingham, entreating to know how he could serve him, and
assuring him that he never meant to deal otherwise than plainly.
Gifford went to Rheims and Rouen, where he passed under
the name of Jacques Colerdin.^ It was on the occasion of this
visit to Rheims that Gifford was ordained Priest.'^ He was, it will
be remembered, a deacon when he began his communications
with the Queen of Scots.

In April, 1587, he returned to Paris,^ and towards the
end of the year he was arrested and confined in the prison
of the Bishop of Paris. " Gifford, being a Priest, lived
in Paris, and was apparelled as our disguised Priests are
in England, whereat divers men were offended." " The
occasion of his first taking was for that he was taken of
a sudden in a suspected house." So a Priest, who signed
his letter Henry Caesar, wrote to Walsingham.*^ Sir Edward
Stafford, the EngHsh Ambassador at Paris, thought'' "that they
will put him to a hard plunge, for they mean to take him upon
this point, which indeed letters (as I hear that they have of his

^ Annales, p. 441. •

'^ Vol. xix., nn. 45, 46, 70, 71, 82.
^ Domestic, Elizabeth, vol. cxcix., nn. 20, 95.

"* In the Douay Diary, amongst those promoted to the priesthood in 1587*
occurs the name, "Gilbertus Giffordus, Lichfildien."
^ Do?fiestic, Elizabeth, vol. cc, nn. 48, 65.
6 Domestic, Addenda, Elizabeth, vol. xxx., n. 120.
^ Ibid., n. 69.
R

258 Sir Amias Poulet,

with his own hand written to Phelippes) will make hard against
him, that he became a Priest by cunning to deceive the world,
and that he had, being become a Priest with that intent, said
Mass after." Sir Edward did his best to obtain his liberty,
saying, 1 "If I can and he will, I will find means to send him
into England, for if he were away, what letters soever be taken
there [could] be said to be counterfeit; but if he be here to
avow them by constraint, they will make their profit of them
greatly. They say they find that by Phelippes' mean he kept
intelligence wdth her Majesty."

Though Gifford turned against the Ambassador, who called
him "the most notable double treble villain that ever lived, for
he hath played upon all hands in the world," yet under the
name of Jacques Colerdin, or Francis Hartley, he found means
in prison to carry on his correspondence with Phelippes and
Walsingham. Thus from his French prison he reported ^ the
arrival on the English mission of Father John Gerard, and of
other Priests with him in 1588. He remained in prison till
he died, which, as we learn from one of the letters^ of Father
Henry Walpole among the Stonyhurst Manuscripts, was in 1590.

Poulet to Walsingham.^
Sir, — I find nothing in this Queen's packet, received
here the 5th [.'' 8th] of this present month to be imparted
unto you saving this copy inclosed of a letter sent to this
Queen from the French Ambassador in Scotland, by
Du Jardin, belonging to the French Ambassador gone
and lately returned out of Scotland as it seemeth.

^ Domestic, Addenda, Elizabeth, vol. xxx., n. 53.

^ Domestic, Elizabeth, vol. ccxvii., n. 3.

^ Recently edited with great care for private circulation by the Rev.
Augustus Jessopp, D.D. The letter is dated Brussels, November 29, 1590,
and the passage speaks of Morgan as well as Gifford. "Morgan's matter is
here now to be ended one way or other, such order being come out of Spain.
I hear that they that handle it say that there is very much information against
him, but he avoideth without full proof in great matters. 'Tis doubtful
whether they will put the poor man to the torture or no. Gilbert Gifford is
dead in prison in Paris. "

* Vol. xix., n. 23.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 259

The French Ambassador writeth to this Queen that
there is no hope of her remove from hence, or of any
passport to be granted for a new supply of servants, and
touching Pierrepont he writeth that he findeth her Majesty
indifferent for her stay here, or for her return to her
friends, as this Queen shall think good. And thus I leave
to trouble you, beseeching God to strengthen you with His
mighty Spirit to endure the trouble of this busy time.

From Chartley, the August, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

The two following letters come straight from Elizabeth, who
certainly gave her direction in very minute detail. It is im-
portant to notice that Nau and Curie were imprisoned in Sir
Francis Walsingham's own house. Francis Mills, Walsingham's
secretary, said in October,^ that he was "tied to the custody
of Nau." We shall see subsequently that Walsingham w^as
determined to have both Nau and Curie in his power, by
drawing from them admissions which w^ould put their lives at
Elizabeth's mercy.

Nicasius Yetsweirt to Walsingham?
Right Honourable, — My duty humbly remembered.
About ten of the clock I received a packet from your,
honour wrapped in the letter to me, which packet I deli-
vered forthwith unto her Majesty. When she had read
both Sir Amias' and yours, she marvelled that the
clause her Highness wrote in the foot of my letter should
so trouble you, and you construe the same so, as if her
Highness had put you in the number of those she meant,
considering that you could not but be assured of the
assured good opinion she had of you all manner of
ways, and of your great care and diligence you ceased
not to use in her affairs, with many other good and
gracious words which I cannot here express.

^ Domestic^ Elizabeth^ vol. cxciv., n. i8. ^ Vol. xix., n. 47.

R 2

26o Sir Amias Pozilet,

Her Majesty hath written to Sir Amias and to your
honour, whereby I doubt not but that both he and your
honour shall know amply of her pleasure. The letters be
both unsealed and wrapped up in a paper sealed with my
seal.

Her Majesty willed me to let you know how thankfully
she taketh the trouble and charges from time to time you
bear with those that are committed unto you, and now for
the lodging and guarding of Nau and Curie, you have
already prepared for them as you have written to her
Majesty. In the keeping and guarding of whom, as her
Majesty doubteth not but shall be with all safety, so she
would not have you to bestow too large a diet upon them,
but as becometh prisoners. And her Majesty thinketh
that they shall not need to have anybody to attend upon
them in their chambers, but have their meats and neces-
saries brought unto them by such as by you shall be
appointed, and so left in their chambers under lock and
key, for her Majesty thinketh that they be not so despe-
rate as either to hang or kill themselves.

Further, her Majesty would have you in your letters to
require Sir Amias Poulet to write unto her the whole story
of those things done in this matter to the Queen of Scots
and to hers, not for any other cause but that her Majesty
might take pleasure in the reading thereof And whereas
her Highness doth understand that the charge of the
Queen of Scots' household folk are [is] committed to
Mr. Darrell, who attendeth there, she thinketh him not
sufficient for such a charge, and therefore would have
Sir Amias to consider thereof as is needful. And touching
the Queen's chaplain, how he shall be used, her Highness
doth refer the same to his wisdom and discretion.

As touching the three prisoners, Babington, Barnewall,
and Savage, remaining at Mr. Vice-Chamberlain's,^ her

^ Sir Christopher Hatton, who was made Lord High Chancellor, April 29,
1587.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 261

Majesty doth not mean that they shall be sent to the
Tower before they be thoroughly examined.

Whereas in my last letter I wrote unto your honour
that none should have sight of the letters she delivered
unto you at your being here with her Majesty, her High-
ness has willed me to signify unto you that she is well
pleased that Mr. Vice-Chamberlain have a sight of them,
knowing his loyalty and faithfulness to be such towards
her as she dareth trust him with her life.

Her Majesty hath signed the letter to my Lord Mayor
of London of her gracious acceptation of the joys and
affections the people there declared for the apprehension
of these traitors, which I send unto your honour in this
packet.

And thus I humbly take my leave of your honour.

From Windsor, this 19th of August, 1586.

Your honour's humble at commandment,

NiCASius Yetsweirt.

Addressed — To the Right Honourable Sir [Amias Pou.
erased^ Francis Walsingham, knight, principal Secretary
to the Queen's Majesty, and one of her Highness' most
honourable Privy Council.

Endorsed — August 19, 1586, from Mr. Nicasius.

Nicasius Yetsweiri to Walsingham?-
Right Honourable, — I have declared unto her Majesty
the contents of your honour's letter I received this
evening, and her Highness liketh very well the order taken
for the safe bringing of Nau and Curie, and the things
that Mr. Gorge and Mr. Waad hath charge of also besides,
which I perceive be caskets with writings. And her
Majesty being very careful to have those caskets safely
brought, though I told her that according to her pleasure,
signified unto your honour in my letter this day, you had

^ Vol. xix., n. 50.

262 Sir Amias Poulet,

despatched a discreet person to assist Mr. Gorge and
Mr.Waad in his charge, yet her Highness is scant satisfied
with that, and would have you to provide yet better herein,
and specially that the said caskets might be brought under
sure conduct and by sure persons before, for her Highness
esteemed more of the caskets and of the things contained
in them than of Nau and Curie, for in comparison, little
she esteemeth them in respect of the caskets.

This afternoon the French Ambassador resident here,
and M. d'Esneval, who is come out of Scotland, had
audience, and her Majesty told me that she never saw a
man more perplexed than the legier^ Ambassador here, for
when he was about to speak, every joint in his body did
shake, and his countenance changed, and specially when
this intended enterprise was somewhat mentioned by her
Majesty. Whereupon, seeming to take some more heart
unto him, said unto her Majesty, " I would have moved
some suits unto you, but that I see that your Majesty is
somewhat troubled with these jeimes follastres that are
apprehended." "Yes," said her Majesty, "they be such
jctmes follastres as some of them may spend ten and
twenty thousand francs of rent, and it may be that there
are some may spend more."

Her Majesty seemeth to me afraid that this Ambas-
sador might work some mischievous means to disturb the
quiet and sure bringing up of these men and things before
named ; wherefore she willed me in any wise to put
your honour in remembrance that special care be had
thereof

Her Majesty is marvellously glad of the apprehension
of Roger Yardley, and prayeth you that he may be well
looked unto. It seemeth unto me that her Majesty
hath heard before of his quality. I had no time to tell

^ Leger (from Dutch legger^ to lie), anything that lies in a place, as a leger
Ambassador, a resident ; a leger-book, a book that lies in a counting-house.
Johnson.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 263

her of M. de Civille, which I will perform, God willing,
to-morrow in the morning.

And thus, humbly taking my leave of your honour,
I pray God have the same always in His blessed keeping.

From Windsor, this 21st of August, 1586, at nine of
the clock at night.

Your honour's humble at commandment,

NiCASIUS Yetsweirt.

Chateauneufs report of this audience to Henry 1 11.^ is widely
at variance with Elizabeth's statements to Yetsweirt, and the
Ambassador's account is corroborated by d'Esneval's letter to
Courcelles," September 2, intercepted by Walsingham. The
latter runs thus: "Depuis M. de Chasteauneuf ayant faict de-
mander audience a la Royne d'Angleterre, nous I'allasmes trouver
Dimanche dernier a Vindsor ou elle est, et receut M. de Chas-
teauneuf et moy aveques toute favorable demonstration. Et
apres beaucoup d'honnestes langages passez entre nous," &c.
But he goes on to say that Elizabeth, when she heard that
Courcelles was left in Scotland in the place of d'Esneval, " aussy
tost faict une grande exclamation j" that in reply d'Esneval said
that he was a faithful servant of his King, " ce qui la mit fort en
cholere," &c.

Another letter'' from d'Esneval to Courcelles, dated October 7,
contains passages respecting the Queen of Scots' apprehension,
well deserving of insertion here.

"Monsieur, — Ayant faict mes affayres a Londres, je suis venu
en ce lieu de Rye pour me trajetter a Dieppe, dont je ne veulx
partir sans vous advertir de ma bonne sante.

" Touteffoys pour faire scavoir comme se passe le faict de la
Royne d'Escosse que j'ay appris plus particulierement depuis
vous avoir escript a quelques jours, que Sir Amias Poulet mena
la dite Dame Royne pour aller a la chasse, ou s'estant acheminee

^ Von Rammer, History of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries^ p. 123.
Teulet.

^ Scotland^ Elizabeth, vol. xli., n. 12.
Scotland, Elizabeth, vol. xli., n. 30.

264 Sir Amias Poulet,

avec tous les siens, mesmes Nau et Courles ses secretaires,
Gorges I'aysne la vint trouver et luy feit entendre qu'il avoit
charge de la Royne sa maistresse la mener a une maison a troys
lieues de Charteley, nomme Tixsal, qui est a Sieur Edouard
Hasten, et aussy de se saysir des personnes de Nau et Curie,
ce qui la mit en telle colere qu'elle Toutragea fort de parolles et
sa maistresse : mesmes voulust que les siens se missent en
defence. Touteffoys Gorges estant le plus fort, Sir Amias Poulet
la mena ou il avoit charge, et Gorges emmena ses secretaires.
Pendant les quelles entrefaites il y avoit un secretaire du Conseil,
nomme Wade, a Chartley, qui fouilla tous les papiers de la dite
Dame Royne, des quelz il se saisit et les fist mener avec les
prisonniers, et vantent que ce sont les plus secretz et importans.
Je ne sgay s'il est veritable, ou si c'est pour s'en prevaloir de cela
en quelque artifice, des quelz ils sont tant inventeurs comme de
leur part Maistre [blank] m'a voulu dire ce jours icy, qu'ilz
avoyent trouve le testament de la dite Dame, par le quel elle
donnoyt I'Angleterre et TEscosse au Roy d'Espaigne, qui n'est
comme vous jugerez bien, que pour aigrer contre elle le Roy
d'Escosse son filz, vers le quel vous luy sgaurez je m asseure bien
faire les bons offices desquelz elle a besoing. ...

" Cependant Monsieur de Chasteauneuf a envoye ces jours
icy vers Monsieur le Grand Tresorier son secretaire, par le quel
il luy escripvoyt que ayant entender que Nau et Curie estoyent
prisonniers, il avoyt desire scavoir la verite> et si ainsy estoyt les
advertir qu'ilz estoyent serviteurs du Roy de France mis par sa
Majeste pres la dite Dame pour les affaires de son Douaire.
Que estantz telz il le promit d'advertir la Royne souveraine et
Messieurs du Conseil qu'ilz y eussent esgard. Le dit Grand
Tresorier sans faire aultre response addressa le dit Sieur a Wal-
singham qui estoyt la present, et luy bailla la lettre du dit Sieur
de Chasteauneuf, laquelle il leut, et apres luy dit que la Royne
d'Escosse estoyt une tres mauvaise femme, et ses secretaires tres
meschantz, et que la Royne sa souveraine en feroyt justice, et
qu'ilz n'advanceroyent rien en cela qu'ilz ne le communicassent a
Monsieur I'Ambassadeur, et qu il trouveroyt de telles meschan-
cetez qu'il s'asseuroyt qu'il ne vouldroyt ny Madame de Chas-
teauneuf (qu'il sgavoyt aymer la Royne d'Escosse) parler pour

Keeper of Mary Qtieeit of Scots. 265

elle a la Royne sa souveraine, la quelle envoyeroyt encores un
gentilhomme^ vers le Roy de France pour luy faire entendre le
faict. II semble que Walsingham veuilla desja divertir ceulx
qu'il scayt se devoir employer pour la dite Dame. Mais cela ne
retiendra pas le dit Sieur Ambassadeur qu'il n'a obmis ny ob-
mettra, non plus que je feray estant en Cour, aucune chose qui
puisse apporter ayde et secours aux affayres de la dite Dame
Royne, de laquelle je n'ay par ceste aultres nouvelles, si non que
je suis parti de Londres on y devoyt amener une de ses damoy-
selles prisonniere, nommee Pierrepont. II y a beaucoup de
personnes en peine pour ce fait, une bonne nombre est prise {sic)
et les aultres poursuiviz. Je vous envoye les noms. C'est tout
que vous aurez de moy a present."

As a supplement to d'Esneval's account of the seizure of the
Queen of Scots, we may add a record that shows that something
more than papers were "taken away" from Chartley.

"-4 note of such things as were taken away which were the Queen of

Scots:^

"First, a glass furnished with two crystals and two tables or
covers on each side. Within the one is the picture of the Queen
of England, within the other the picture of the Queen of Scots,
and the said tables are enamelled and garnished with diamonds,
rubies, and emeralds.

" Item, a little chest garnished with diamonds, rubies, and
pearls.

' ^^ Item, a set garnished with diamonds, rubies, and pearls, and
emeralds in the midst.

" Item, a pair of bracelets of agate, garnished with little rubies.

'■''Item, a jewel pendant, garnished with diamonds, rubies, and
emeralds.

'''■Item, one other jewel to hang, wherein is a sapphire gar-
nished with small rubies.

^' Item, one other little jewel, enamelled with white and
carnation.

'''■Item, one other little jewel of the fashion of an agate.

^ Sir Edward Wotton was sent on this mission to France. Camden,
Annates, p. 443.
2 Vol. XX., n. 44.

266 Sir Amias Poulet,

^^ Item, a little pincase of gold, a chain to wear for a girdle for
a woman, enamelled with white and red.

^^ Item, a chain for a man, all plain without enamel, weighing
six marks, five ounces, and five pennyweights.

'•'' Ite77i, in white money about a seven score pounds.

'''' Itein, one piece of twenty ducats.

"Two doublets, the one of russet satin, the other of canvas.

'■'■Item, one black velvet cap, with a green and black feather
in the same; three mufflers of embroidery, whereof two be of
black velvet.

'■'■ Item, two carcanets^ or bad [? badge] chains, embroidered
with gold and silver.

" Itetn, other black set with pearls.

'■''Item, four vessels of sweet powder.

" Ite?n, one pair of silk stocks."

Endorsed — Goods stolen from the Queen of Scots.

The well known letter that follows has no date, but its place
in this series is indicated by the mention of it in Poulet's letter
from Tixall of the 22nd of August. It has been often printed.
Strype^ gives it "as transcribed from a copy thereof taken by
Michael Hacket, the Lord Treasurer's Secretary." There it is-
headed, "To my faithful Amias."

Mr. Froude prints^ this letter with the remark that in it
Elizabeth's "better nature struggles with her affectation with
rather more success than usual." When EHzabeth wrote it,
probably in her own mind she had fixed upon Poulet as the
roan who, as she hinted to her Parfiament in November, was.
to be "found wiUing," by the murder of his prisoner, "to put
his own life in risk for his sovereign."^ Be that as it may,

^ Carcanet (Fr. carcan), a chain or collar of jewels. Johnson.

* Annals of the Jieforniation, \o\. iii., p. 361.

^ History y vol. xii., p. 163.

^ In her second speech to her Parliament, November 24, O.S., Elizabeth,
after extolling her own magnanimity, and dwelling upon the obloquy which
must accrue to her were she to give public consent to the execution, states her
conviction that IMary's death was essential to her own safety, winding up with
these significant words : ** But this she considers, that many a man would put
his life in danger for the safeguard of a King ; she does not say that so she
will, but prays them to believe that she hath thought upon it " (Holinshed.
Nicolas' Life of Davison, p. 57).

Keeper of Mary Qicee7i of Scots. 267

this outburst of gratitude and affection towards Mary's keeper,
prompted, we are told, by the Queen's "better nature," reads
curiously like the opening of King John's famous speech to
Hubert :

O my gentle Hubert,
We owe thee much ; within this wall of flesh
There is a soul, counts thee her creditor,
And with advantage means to pay thy love :
And my good friend, thy voluntary oath
Lives in this bosom, dearly cherished.
Give me thy hand. I had a thing to say,—
But I will fit it with some better time.
By Heaven, Hubert, I am almost ashamed
To say what good respect I have of thee.

Elizabeth to Poulet}
Amias, my most faithful and careful servant, God
reward thee treble-fold in three double for thy most
troublesome charge so well discharged. If you knew,
my Amias, how kindly, besides dutifully, my grateful
heart accepteth and praiseth your spotless actions, your
wise orders, and safe regards, performed in so dangerous
and crafty a charge, it would ease your travails and
rejoice your heart. In which I charge you carry this
most just thought, that I cannot balance in any weight
of my judgment the value that I prize you at, and suppose
no treasure to countervail such a faith ; and shall condemn
myself in that fault, which yet I never committed, if I
reward not such deserts. Yea, let me lack when I most
need, if I acknowledge not such a merit with a reward,
nou onmibtis datiunr- Let your wicked murderess know
how with hearty sorrow her vile deserts compelleth these
orders ; and bid her from me ask God forgiveness for
her treacherous dealings towards the saver of her life
many a year, to the intolerable peril of her own ; and
yet, not contented with so many forgivenesses, must fall

1 Vol. xix., n. 55 ; Cotton. AfSS., Caligula, C. ix., f. 606.

2 It is so printed by Strype. The usual form is to put as a separate
sentence, JVon omnibus est datum.

268 Sir Amias Poidet,

again so horribly, far passing a woman's thought, much
less a prince's ; and, instead of excusing[s] (whereof not one
can serve, it being so plainly confessed by the authors of
my guiltless death), let repentance take place, and let
[not] the fiend possess her, so as her better part be lost ;
which I pray, with hands lifted up to Him that may
both save and spill.

With my most loving adieu and prayers for thy long
life, your most assured and loving sovereign, as thereto
by good deserts induced,

E. R.

Poulet io Walsinghamy

Sir, — Among many other great favours received from
you of late, I account this the greatest that your friendly
or rather partial report hath wrought in her Majesty to
good acceptation of my poor service, as hath appeared by
her most gracious letters : and as the comfort is singular
which I have received by the same, so it may please you
to think that I account my obligation herein towards you
so much the greater, and so I must remain your debtor.

Whereas you refer to my consideration, my continu-
ance here, or my remove to Chartley, only requiring that
the house there be first duly searched, which hath been
done effectually by Mr. Waad and the other commissioners;
I see now no cause at all of our longer abode here, but
rather just reason of our return to Chartley, as well in
respect of the lessening of her Majesty's charge, and in
avoiding the trouble of this country in extraordinary
watching and warding about this house, besides the
watches and wards in all the towns adjoining; as
especially for the better surety of this charge, the house
of Chartley being of far better strength by reason of the
water than this house is. I am therefore resolved to
return to Chartley as soon as I may, and to that purpose
to crave the assistance of the well- affected gentlemen of

^ Vol. xix., n. 51.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 269

these parts, for the furnishing of one hundred horsemen
at the time of the remove.

I must confess unto you that I am very willing to
remove the Priest, and yet I will not take upon me to
discharge him and to set him at liberty without especial
direction from you, and indeed I do not think it meet that
he should be set at liberty to return into France until the
matters in hand were somewhat overblown. I will therefore
remove him to Mr. Gresley's house, where he shall remain
until it may please you to resolve what shall be done with
him. If I should leave him at Chartley until this lady's
arrival there, he would not be removed without great
difficulty.

It may please you to remember to send your direction
touching Mrs. Pierrepont, Melvin, and Pasquier, who are
bestowed with Mr. Trentham, Mr. Bagot, and Mr. Littleton.
I will not fail according to your direction to advertise her
Majesty as soon as I may, of all the circumstances of the
proceeding sithence the pretended hunting, although I
doubt not but that her Highness hath been duly informed
before this time by Mr. Gorge and Mr. Waad of all things
done before their departure, and sithence this lady's coming
hither, I have not spoken with her, or seen her.

It may please her Majesty to believe that I have had
so good experience of Mr. Darrell's faithful devotion to
her Highness' service, and of his cold affection towards this
lady, as I would sooner commit the charge of the company
at Chartley unto him than to any other in these parts, and
I know he hath discharged it faithfully. I can assure you
that this people hath had no intelligence at all sithence
their coming hither, to which purpose I kept them from
pen, ink, and paper, and the next day after my arrival
here did remove Sir Walter Aston's servants who served
to deliver necessary things. This lady hath not gone out
of her chamber and gallery, and none of her people have
gone beyond the hall door sithence their coming hither.

270 Sir Amias Potclet,

I do not intend to have any speech with this lady during
my being here, but after my next speech with her, it is
likely I shall have some greater matter for you.

It may please you to write two or three words of thanks
in her Majesty's behalf to Sir Walter Aston, which surely
he hath well deserved, as knoweth the Almighty, to whose
blessed tuition I commit you.

From Tixall, the 22nd of August, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

Nicasms Yetsweirt's letter of the 19th ordered Walsingham,
in Elizabeth's name, "to require Sir Amias Poulet to write unto
her the whole story of those things done in this matter to the
Queen of Scots and to hers, not for any cause but that her
Majesty might take pleasure in the reading thereof." We now
learn that Poulet did what he was commanded, but as his
letter to Elizabeth was not left in Walsingham's custody, it
is not among the State Papers, and we cannot share with
Elizabeth the "pleasure in the reading thereof."

Poulet to Walsingha7Jt?-
Sir, — Forasmuch as you required me by order from
her Majesty to advertise her of that which hath passed
between this lady and me in the execution of this late
charge, and also how she hath behaved herself sithence
the apprehension of her secretaries, I have considered that
the sooner I performed this duty the better it would be,
although indeed there hath fallen out nothing worthy of
her Majesty, and therefore I send unto you inclosed herein
my letter to her Highness. It may please you to consider
what shall be done with Nau's servant, who is of this
country, and came to his service from Mr. Pierrepont,
and with Curie's servant, who is a Scot, they both being
now unprofitable here. And touching the residue of the

1 Vol. xix., n. 52.

Keeper of Mary Qiceeri of Scots, 271

Scottish family, I think good at my next convenient leisure
to send you a note of their names, surnames, and charges,
whereupon you may consider to reserve and to remove as
you shall think meet.

It is intended that this lady shall remove to Chartley
this next morrow, as here this household can have no
long continuance without imminent danger, and extreme
charges to her Majesty in many things this winter, by
reason that provisions have not been made beforehand.
I hear of traitors that are carried towards you every
<3ay. God be thanked for it, to whose merciful tuition
I commit you.

From Tixall, the 24th of August, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

Poulet did with the Priest as he had proposed, and sent
him from Chardey to Mr. Gresley's, before he returned with the
-Queen of Scots.

Walsingham to Poulet)-

Sir, — Mr. Gorge and Mr. Waad came safely to London
on Sunday at night, with their several charges, and her
Majesty resteth marvellously well satisfied with the care
and endeavour that hath been used by you in the search of
the house, expressing as well generally to all my lords of
the Council, and particularly to every one that she spake
withal in such gracious terms her good liking of your wise
and discreet manner of proceeding in the whole course of
that your charge, and now in the execution of this late
service, as it is not possible for any Prince to give
greater commendation to the good desert of a servant,
nor to rest better contented withal. Her Majesty doth
well allow of your purpose to remove your charge to
Chartley again for the reasons that you set down in
your letters, of the strength of the house, and easing

1 Vol. xix., n. 56.

272 Sir Amias Poulet,

the country of their continual watches. But upon
report made by Mr. Waad of the unsoundness of the
country, her Majesty meaneth that your said charge shall
be shortly conveyed to some other place, and not there
remain, with that liberty that she enjoyeth now, but in the
state of a prisoner, attended only with few persons such as
she must have of necessity, and therefore her Majesty
would have you to consider to what number the said
persons may be restrained. I mean to know her Majesty's
pleasure touching the Priest, whom in the meanwhile you
have done well to sequester into my cousin Gresley's
house. And you shall also know what is to be done with
young Pierrepont and Melvyn. For young Pasquier, her
Majesty would have you to send him hither under sure
guard, such as to yourself shall seem convenient for the
purpose, because it is supposed he was privy to the writing
of these letters that were in cipher.

There are letters of thanks written to Mr. Manners,
Sir Walter Aston, and Mr. Bagot. Anthoine Tuchiner hath
been lately taken, so as we want now but only Edward
Abington of the whole number of the six conspirators.

From the Court at Windsor, the 25th of August, 1586.

Endorsed — To Sir Amias Poulet.

Before the return of Mary to Chartley, the transfer to
Fotheringay Castle was almost determined. The Privy Council
repeats " that it is not meant she shall henceforth have that
scope and liberty that heretofore she hath enjoyed." "Scope
and liberty" are singular terms to apply to Mary's captivity
since Poulet was appointed her keeper.

Burghley and Walsingham to Poulet}
After, &c., — The Queen's Majesty, upon information
given unto her by Mr. Waad, according to such direction as

^ Vol. xix., n. 59.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 273

Tie received from you for that purpose, of the unsoundness
of that country, doth think meet to have the Queen, your
charge, removed from thence to some other place of more
safety, and for such purpose hath thought upon Fotheringay
Castle, in Northamptonshire, and wills us particularly to
consider of such things as are necessary for the said
remove. Whereupon we have directed our letters unto
Sir Walter Mildmay to view the said castle and to certify
us of the state thereof, and how the household may there
be furnished, both of necessary provision of wood and
•meat, and of a convenient quantity of beer by some brewer
in the town of Fotheringay, or otherwise ; and do also
pray you that you will likewise send either Darrell or
some other apt person thither, accompanied with one of
the wardrobe, to consider in what sort the stuffs and
hangings that are now with you may furnish some con-
venient lodging for the said Queen, for that it is not meant
she shall henceforth have that scope and liberty that
heretofore she hath enjoyed, but remain in the state of a
prisoner, with some regard nevertheless of her degree and
quality. Other particularities wherein we desire to be
resolved by you, we have set down in the inclosed articles,
wherein we pray you that you will yield us answer with as
much speed as conveniently you may.
August 26th, 1586.

Endorsed — The Lord Treasurer and Mr. Secretary to
Sir Amias Poulet.

Mr. Froude has a curious reason to assign why Mary should
have been sent back to Chartley. "The house," that is, Sir
Walter Aston's house, Tixall, he says,^ " was small and incon-
venient ;" a singular description of a house where there were
'' on the point of a hundred persons uprising and downlying," as
its master described his '' great family." Mr. Froude then draws
for his narrative on the following letter, and therein furnishes

^ History^ vol. xii., p. i6l.
S

2 74 ^^^ Amias Poulet^

another specimen of inaccuracy. Mary " went to her own apart-
ments, to find drawers and boxes open and empty, and her most
secret papers gone. ' Some of you will be sorry for this,' she said
sternly to Paulet, who was attending on her."^ " I was not present
when the words were spoken," Poulet wrote ; and the expression
follows so closely upon the words uttered by Mary that it seems
wonderful that Mr. Froude should have succeeded in copying the
one sentence without catching sight of the other. "She said
sternly to Paulet," says Mr. Froude, who is indebted to his
imagination for the fact ; and every one who reads the passage
understands by it a threat on Mar/s part to punish the perpe-
trators of the outrage, if ever it was in her power. Poulet
understood it to mean that her papers would compromise others,
who would have cause to be sorry that they were taken. In what
sense that could apply to him he did not know. This he knew,
that he could be sorry for others, but " there was nothing in her
papers that could give him cause to be sorry for himself."

But the threat suited Mr. Froude best. He wanted it to
introduce this paragraph — " Elizabeth had no braver subject
than Paulet, not one who would have broken lance with
lighter heart in her behalf against the stoutest knight in
Christendom, but there was something in this fiery woman that
awed and frightened him. He dreaded a rising in the country.
He urged her removal to some stronger place, as a matter of
pressing necessity, wishing evidently that she was in the Tower,
and that he was rid of his responsibilities with her." Mr. Froude's
reference for this is the letter now before the reader. Who would
have thought that all this could have been drawn out of Poulet's
postscript ? " Our remove," concerns " her Majesty's service very
greatly." Her Majesty was grumbling at the number of his
soldiers, and begrudging him his expenses. The removal from
Chartley had been, in his mind, a question of ''provision to be

^ Dr. Lingard has a similar mistake. "When she entered her former
apartment, and saw her cabinets opened, and her seals and papers gone, she
paused for a moment, and then turning to Poulet, said with an air of dignity,
* There still remain two things, sir, which you cannot take from me, the royal
blood which gives me a right to the succession, and the attachment which
binds me to the faith of my fathers'" {History of ^England, 1844, vol. viii.,
p. 214).

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 275

made of hay, wood, coal, and many other things for the service
of this house the next winter," as he wrote in June : that was
the benefit to her Majesty ; and Poulet himself would get
away from a place where his health suffered severely. Certainly
he knew that Staffordshire was a county of recusants, the
"unsoundness" of which he requested Waad to represent to
the Privy Council, but there is nothing of ''pressing necessity"
about it. So also in October Poulet represented " the weakness
of one part of the Castle of Fotheringay," so that it would not be
safe in case a " desperate attempt " were made " in this doubtful
time in favour of the Queen his charge." That he would have
been glad to be "rid of his responsibihties" is true, but it is
utterly untrue that he was " awed and frightened " by Mary. He
would have been as surprised to hear it as to have received a
summons to set his gouty foot into the stirrup, and break a lance
with the hand that sometimes could not hold a pen. He did not
fear Mary personally ; he hated her, and he feared above all
things the result of her surviving Elizabeth and becoming Queen
of England. He hated her with a steadily increasing hatred, and
perhaps the personal inconvenience he had to share with his
prisoner tended to embitter his mind against her. But there is
no sign anywhere that he was awed or frightened by her. His
complaint is rather of her "tediousness." Perhaps Mary was not
quite " the fiery woman " Mr. Froude imagines her to have been.

Poulet to Walsinghain}
Sir, — This lady was removed hither the 25th of this
present, conducted by Sir Walter Aston, Mr. Bagot,
Mr. Gresly, Mr. Littleton, Mr. Chetwynd, and others to
the number of one hundred and forty horses at the least.
At her coming out of Sir Walter Aston's gate she said
with a loud voice weeping, to some poor folks which were
there assembled, " I have nothing for you, I am a beggar
as well as you, all is taken from me ; " and when she came
to the gentlemen she said, weeping, " Good gentlemen, I
am not witting or privy to anything intended against the

^ Vol. xix.,n. 62.
S 2

276 Sir Amias Poulet,

Queen." She visited Curie's wife (who was delivered of
child in her absence), before she went to her own chamber,
willing her to be of good comfort, and that she would
answer for her husband in all things that might be objected
against him. Curie's child remaining unchristened, and the
Priest removed before the arrival of this lady, she desired
that my minister might baptize the child, with such god-
fathers and godmothers as I would procure, so as the child
would bear her name ; which being refused, she came
shortly after into Curie's wife's chamber, where laying the
child on her knees, she took water out of a basin, and
casting it upon the face of the child she said, "I baptize
thee in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Ghost," calling the child by her own name, Mary. This
may not be found strange in her who maketh no con-
science to break all laws of God and man.

At her coming hither, Mr. Darrell delivered the keys,
as well of her chambers as of her coffers, to Bastian, which
he refused by direction from his mistress, who required
Mr. Darrell to open her chamber door, which he did, and
then this lady finding that her papers were taken away,
said, in great choler, that two things could not be taken
from her, her English blood and her Catholic religion,
which both she would keep until her death, adding further
these words — " Some of you will be sorry for it," meaning
the taking away of her papers. I was not present when
these words were spoken, but no doubt they reached unto
me, in what sense she only knoweth. I may be sorry for
others, but I know there is nothing in her papers that can
give me cause to be sorry for myself.

I considered that Mrs. Pierrepont's maid would be
unnecessary here, and that remaining in this house until
the coming hither of this lady she might not be sent
away afterwards without peril. I therefore removed her
to Mr. Chetwynd's house, where she remaineth until you
have resolved what to do with Mrs. Pierrepont.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 277

I consider that you are overwhelmed with business,
and therefore I am loth to trouble you with any un-
necessary matter from hence, of which kind I must confess
all the premisses to be, and yet I think agreeable with my
duty to advertise you of this lady's remove hither, which I
would have done sooner, but that I thought she would have
desired to have spoken with me after her coming hither,
wherein I perceive I am much deceived, and that she is
not hasty to see me or speak with me, only she sent to
know if I would convey her letters to her Majesty, which
I refused, saying that no letters should pass out of this
house without order from above, and I do not doubt
but that upon the examination of her servants some
good occasion will be ministered to deliver some message
unto her which may give her just cause to write. She
made the like proffer at Sir Walter Aston's house,
which I then also refused, and prayed your direction
therein.

I trust you do remember to consider, as time will
give you leave, what shall be done with Pierrepont,
Melvin, and Pasquier, thinking assuredly that you shall
find good cause to command Pasquier to be brought
unto you.

And thus I leave you to the mercy and favour of the
Highest.

From Chartley, the 27th of August, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

After the signing of these letters I received yours of the
25th, this present day at eight in the evening, by the
which you continue to increase my joy by your report
of her Majesty's gracious acceptance of my unw^orthy
service, although trusty and faithful. I will not fail to
send Pasquier unto you with convenient speed, and at that
time will give you my simple opinion touching this lady's

278 - Sir Amias Poulety

family. God be thanked that so many of the principal
conspirators are apprehended, and God make us thankful
for these singular mercies.

Autograph postscript — I beseech you most heartily
to further our remove from hence as much as you
may, as a matter importing her Majesty's service very
greatly.

The first sentence in the following letter applies to Dr. GifFord.
Gilbert Gifford wrote from France to Phelippes,^ *What as [if]
Morgan should say that D. Gifford meant not to deal sincerely
with Mr. Secretary. I never doubted it but that he would not,
and so always I told you." The consideration had for Gilbert
Gifford's travail was not less than a promise of 100/. a year.^ No
doubt he was well content, at such a price, that Walsingham and
Phelippes should " both write and speak bitterly against him."

Walsingham to Phelippes?

I return you Morgan's letter, by the which it appeareth.
what trust is to be given to Papists. It shall now suffice to
assure G. G. that both he and I have been greatly abused ;
and that there shall be that consideration had of his travail
as shall be to his contentment.

It were convenient that Paynter did convey over unto
him some of that stuff that Mr. Douglas gave unto you for
the secret manner of writing, and to instruct him how to
use it. Then may he direct his letters to his uncle Offley,
containing outwardly but matters ordinary. He must be
content that we both write and speak bitterly against
him. And as for D[octor] Gpfford]* and Gratley, they
deserve it. I have sent Arthur to attend you this day in
copying out the letters I sent you.

1 Vol. XX., n. 45.

* Domestic^ Elizabeth^ vol. cxcix., n. 96.

^ Vol. xix., n. 63.

^ JDr. Gifford was afterwards Archbishop of Rheims.

Keeper of Mary Qtieen of Scots. 279

And so I commit you to God. In haste, the 28th

August, 1586.

Your loving friend,

Fra. Walsingham.

Addressed — To my servant Thomas Phillippes.

Endorsed by Phelippes — August 28, 1586, from Sir
Francis Walsingham.

Poulet to Walsingham}

Sir, — Pasquier cometh unto you herewith, conducted by
three of my servants, not doubting but they will discharge
this service to your satisfaction, and indeed I could not
think of any other good means to send him unto you.

Having now resolved and prepared for the sending of
Pasquier unto you, I received this last evening at ten of
the clock at night letters from my Lord Treasurer and
you, with articles inclosed, which shall be answered with
as convenient speed as I may. I have no other thing
wherewith to trouble you at this time, beseeching God
to bless you and all your actions.

From Chartley, the 29th of August, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. Poulet.

Poulet to Burghley and Walsingham?
It may please your Honours to be advertised that,
receiving your letters of the 26th of this present the 28th
of the same, late in the evening, I have according to
your direction despatched Mr. Darrell this present morning
towards Fotheringay for the view of the lodgings there,
which no doubt will be furnished with the hangings
belonging to this house, whereof there is good store of
all sorts of height and breadth.

^ Vol. xix., n. 64. 2 Vol. xix., n. 66. •

28o Sir Amias Poulet,

I send unto you herewith my simple opinion touching
your articles addressed unto me, and have sent the copy as
well of the articles as of my postills to Sir Walter Mildmay,
to the end he may in his letters to your honours supply
all defect by his better judgment and knowledge of these
countries.

I think myself very happy for many causes to be
removed out of this country, and now I should think
myself twice happy if this Queen with the change of
the lodging might also change her keeper, and, indeed,
a gentleman of that country might supply this place with
less expense to her Majesty, and better surety of his
charge, having his servants, tenants, and good neighbours
at hand.

Although I am bold to write as I wish, yet I will
never desire it but as it may stand with her Majesty's
good pleasure, as one that embraceth all her Highness'
commandments with all willing obedience.

And thus humbly taking my leave, I commit your
honours to the mercy and favour of the Almighty.

From Chartley, the 30th of August, 1586.

Your honour's to command,

A. POULET.

Addressed — To the right honourable my very good
lord, the Lord Burghley, Lord Treasurer of England,
and to Sir Francis Walsingham, knight, her Majesty's
principal Secretary.

The postscript of the first of the two following letters is
important as showing that the minutes of Mary's letter to
Babington were not found among her papers at Chartley, neither
the French minute by Nau nor the English by Curle,^ nor her

1 Curie is represented as stating in the examination of September 21, that
he burnt the EngUsh translation by Mary's order {Harikcnckc State PapcrSy
V' 237)-

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 281

own autograph draft, if, as Nau says, she made one. In the
letter to Phelippes of the 4th September, Walsingham says again,
*' The minute of her answer is not extant."

Dr. Lingard^ gives an extract from a confession by Nau,^
of the same date as this letter of Walsingham's, which mentions
"une minute de lettre escripte de sa main, qu'il lui plust me
baillier pour la polir et mectre au net, ainsi qu'il apparoit a vos
hon. ay ant Vunc et Vautres entres vos mains' Relying on this,
Dr. Lingard says, "At her trial, the minute by herself and
French letter by Nau, which were in the hands of the prose-
cutors, were suppressed." Prince Labanoff" gives up Mary's
autograph minute, but takes for granted that Nau's French
minute was found. " La correspondence de Walsingham et de
Phelippes prouve qu'il fut impossible de decouvrir la minute
autographe dont Nau avait parle, et que la seule chose que
Ton trouva, lors de la saisie. . . . ce fut la minute frangaise
ecrite par Nau." It is very surprising that Nau should have
taken for granted that Mary's minute and his draft were in
Walsingham's hands, and that they should not have been found.
It is very suspicious, for if Mary's letter was to be altered, the
original drafts would have been an embarrassment to the forger ;
but forger as Walsingham undoubtedly was in the matter of this
letter, it seems impossible that he could have written as he has
written to Phelippes, if either of these minutes had been taken
at C hartley.

But though the minutes were not found, there was the cipher
which Burghley noted was to be taken to Fotheringay, and there
was the decipher made by Phelippes for Walsingham as soon
as the letter reached his hands, and neither of these were pro-
duced at Mary's trial, or are now forthcoming. The argument
does not need to be strengthened.

The copy of d'Esneval's letter sent by Walsingham to
Phelippes with his letter of September 3rd had come to
Chartley in a packet from Chateauneuf to Mary, August 5th
[? 8th], as we have seen from Poulet's letter of that date.

^ History of England, 1 844, vol. viii., p. 214.
» Harl. MSS., n. 4649.
3 Tom. vi., p. 397.

282 Sir Amias Poulet,

Courcelles had sent to Mary through Chateauneuf this copy of
d'Esneval's letter to him.

Davison wrote a letter to Phelippes^ a few months later,
which speaks of other intercepted letters and the way they
were treated. " The French Ambassador hath written to my
Lord Treasurer complaining of the apprehension of his servants
and detention of his packets. Her Majesty therefore would
that they should be made up ready to be delivered unto him,
but that you do first let my Lord Treasurer and me [be] advised
in what state the packets are before they be delivered." It is
curious to see how perfectly the Ambassador's packets could
be made up again,^ so that they should give no sign of
having been opened or tampered with. Elizabeth simply
takes this for granted, though it does not seem that when the
packets were taken, there was any thought that they would
have to be returned to the Ambassador. It is not likely that
Phelippes was often idle, as Elizabeth was pleased to suppose
in December, when Davison thus wrote ^ to him. "Her Majesty
delivered me the ticket here inclosed to be sent unto you for
your exercise, because she thinketh you now be idle. When
you have made English thereof, I doubt not but you will return
it back to her Highness."

The number of letters to or from the French Embassies in
England and Scotland intercepted about this time was very
considerable. In two volumes of the State Papers^ there are
thirty letters to or from d'Esneval, Courcelles, and Chateauneuf,
between August, 1586, and September, 1587. Even bills are there
for silks, &c., supplied to Courcelles by Henry Nisbet, merchant,
of Edinburgh, and the Ambassador's note of hand for eight
hundred crowns borrowed from the same man.

The bearing of Walsingham's treatment of Nau and Curie
on the value of their evidence is obvious. To Curie he wrote,^
" I can be but a mediator, and therein I shall have the better

^ Domestic, Elizabeth, vol. cxcvii., n. il. Holograph.

2 The man who tampered with the seals was Arthur Gregory (Camden,

p. 438).

3 Cotton. MSS., Caligula, C. ix., f. 569.
* Scotland, Elizabeth, vols, xli., xlii.

5 Vol. xix., n. 119.

Keeper of Mary Qtceen of Scots. 283

ground to deal for you when you shall lay yourself so open, as
her Majesty may see in you remorse for that which is past, and
a disposition to deserve her favour by acquainting of her with
your knowledge of such things as may any way concern her
estate." Curie's " confession," dated however the day after this
letter, is given among the State Papers^ in English. This was
written at the foot of a copy of Babington's letter. "There
must, and I do confess to have deciphered the like of the
whole above written, coming written in one sheet of paper, as
from Mr. Babington. And the answer thereunto, being written
in French by Mr. Nau, to have been translated in English
and ciphered by me. — Gilbert Curle, 5 September, 1586.''
On the copy of Mary's letter he simply wrote, " The foresaid
I acknowledge to have put in cipher. 5 September, 1586. —
Gilbert Curle." The other attestation by Curie, already
quoted, being dated' the 5th, it would almost seem as though
those just given must have been dated the 3rd. He refers to
them thus : 2 "Telle ou semblable me semble avoireste la
response escripte en frangoys par Monsieur Nau, laquelle j'ay
traduict et mis en chiffre, comme j'en fais mention au pied d'une
copie de la lettre de Mr. Babington, laquelle Monsieur Nau a
signe le premier. — Gilbert Curle, 5 September, 1586."

Walsmgham to Phelippes?

Sir, — I send you these inclosed copies, the one of
d'Esneval's, and the other of Chasteauneuf's letters unto
Courcelles,^ which were intercepted, whereof I would be
glad to know the substance, and therefore I pray you take
some pain in perusing them that I may be acquainted
therewith as soon as conveniently you may. And so I
bid you heartily farewell.

From Barnelms, the 3rd of September, 1586.

Your loving friend,

Fra. Walsingham.

^ Vol. xix., n. 88. ^ Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 395.

^ Vol. xix., n. 80.

284 Sir Amias Poulet,

Autograph postcript — I pray you take care to find out
such minutes as have been drawn by Nau, who is not so
deeply charged as Curie is, who wrote the letters sent to
[Sir erased^ Englefield and to Charles Paget, which by
subscription he hath acknowledged to be his ; but that the
minutes were first drawn by the Queen,^ their mistress.
Both he and Nau are determined to lay the burden upon
their mistress. By no means ; they will be yet brought
to confess that they were acquainted with the letters that
passed between Babington and her. I would to God those
minutes were found. I pray you send me word what course
you have taken for young Pasquier's despatch. It toucheth
my poor credit (how hardly soever I am dealt withal) to see
our friend beyond the seas- comforted.

Addressed — To my servant Thomas Phelippes at Court.

Walsingham to Phelippes?

This morning I received the inclosed from Fra. Mills,
and this afternoon he made report unto me of his pro-
ceeding with Curie, accordingly as is set down in the
inclosed, by the which you may perceive that Curie
doth both testify the receipt of Babington's letter, as
also the Queen his mistress' answer to the same, wherein
he chargeth Nau to have been a principal instrument.

I took upon me to put him in comfort of favour in
case he would deal plainly, being moved thereto for that
the minute of her answer is not extant, and that I saw
Nau resolved to confess no more than we were able of
ourselves to charge him withal.

^ It is noteworthy that while in the earlier interrogations Nau swore that
he wrote Mary's letter to Babington from a minute in her own hand, in the
examination of September 21, of which we have only an imperfect account
drawn up by Phelippes, Nau is made to say that Mary dictated the letter to
him by word of mouth, and Curie, for the first time, states that he burnt the
English copy by Mary's order,

2 Gifford at Paris.

^ Vol. xix., n. 83 ; in Mills' hand.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 285

If it might please her Majesty upon Curie's plain
dealing, and in respect of the comfort I have put him
in to receive grace for the same, to extend some extra-
ordinary favour towards him, considering that he is a
stranger, and that which he did was by his mistress'
commandment, I conceive great hope there might be
things drawn from him worthy of her Majesty's know-
ledge, for which purpose I can be content to retain
him still with me, if her Majesty shall allow of it I
pray you therefore procure some access unto her Majesty
that you may know her pleasure therein with as conve-
nient speed as you may. And so God keep you.

From Barnelms the 4th of September, 1586.

Your master and friend,

Fra. Walsingham.

Addressed — To my servant Thomas Phelippes at Court.

Two letters follow of direction " from above," as Poulet likes
to call Elizabeth and Walsingham. These are printed from the
drafts. They are remarkable as showing Walsingham's fear lest
the treatment Mary was now to receive should "cast her into
some sickness, whereby the purpose of the said remove should
be hindered." He thinks it " likely" that the course on which
Elizabeth had now resolved, of seizing Mary's money, separating
her from her servants, and of showing her no "great favour"
in other respects, would so aggravate her chronic ill-health as
to frustrate, by her death, his plans for her degradation by trial
and execution. As Elizabeth insists on these harsh measures,
" if afterwards the inconveniences happen thereof that are
doubted, her Majesty can blame none but herself for it."
Elizabeth is then personally responsible for these proceedings.

Walsingham to Poulet?-
Sir, — The inclosed I received yesterday from Mr.Waad,
containing her Majesty's pleasure how she would have you

1 Vol. xix.,n. 86.

286 Sir Amias Poulety

to deal with that lady, whereupon I took occasion to write
back again that if that course were held with her before
the intended remove, it were likely to cast her into some
sickness, whereby the purpose of the said remove would be
hindered ; but because I hear nothing yet in answer of
my said letter, I have in the meanwhile thought good to
acquaint you with her Majesty's purpose and meaning
towards the said Queen, to whom you may easily perceive
she hath no disposition that there should be any great
favour showed, and we are now here in consultation to have
her brought directly to the Tower, as a thing which is
thought most necessary, and afterwards proceeded against
according to the statute made in the last Parliament. If
this course hold, then the intended repairing and furnishing
of the Castle of Fotheringay may stay. In the meanwhile
you shall, in my opinion, do well to forbear the touching of
the money or removing of her servants, &c.
September 4, 1586.

Endorsed — M[inute of letter] to Sir Amias Poulet.

Walsingham to Poitlet}
Sir, — How her Majesty doth continue her former reso-
lution to have that lady's money seized and her servants
divided from her, you may perceive by the inclosed extract
of a letter that I received this morning from Mr. Waad,
and therefore her pleasure being such, I do not see why
you should now any longer forbear the putting of the same
in execution. If afterwards the inconveniences happen
thereof that are doubted, her Majesty can blame none but
herself for it. I am now absent from the Court by reason
of an inflammation that I have in my right leg, grown of
the pain of a boil that is risen in it, and therefore I cannot
debate the matter with her Majesty as I would. This
afternoon my Lord Chancellor, my Lord Treasurer, and

^ Vol. xix., n. 87.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 287

Mr. Vice- Chamberlain meet together at London, where-
upon I think you shall be presently advertised of the
resolution that will be taken, either for the removing of
that lady to Fotheringay, or bringing of her directly hither
to the Tower.

September 5th, 1586.

Endorsed — M. to Sir Am. Poulet.

We have already seen that in Nau's confession^ of September 3,
he took for granted that Mary's autograph minute of the answer
to Babington, and his own French minute drawn up from hers,
were found at Chartley. The following letter from Waad affords
evidence that at all events they had not reached the hands of
Queen Elizabeth. "What does he mean by "I suspect one
packet you deciphered ? "

In Nau's later confession ^ of September 10, the following
passage occurs — " La lettre de Morgan et sa minutte pour Bab.
doibvent estre parmy les papiers dudict Curie.'' This minute
of Morgan's, Prince Labanoff says was found, and is now among
the Cecil Papers at Hatfield House.

Waad to Phelippes?
Sir, — Her Majesty's pleasure is you should presently
repair hither, for that upon Nau's confession it should
appear we have not performed the search sufficiently, for
he doth assure we shall find amongst the minutes which
were in Pasquier's chests, the copies of the letters wanting
both in French and English. I suspect one packet you
deciphered. You must bring with you likewise the minutes
of letters you had here. So I commit you to God.
From Windsor, the 7th of September, 1586.
Your most assured loving friend,

W. Waad.
I pray you send us some messengers hither.

Addressed— To the worshipful, my very loving friend^
Mr. Thomas Phillips.

1 Harl MSS., n. 4649. 2 Vol. xix., n. 98. 3 Vol. xix., n. 94.

288 Sir Amias Pozclet,

The long letter that describes the seizure of the money of the
Queen of Scots is printed by Robertson/ and Sir Egerton Bridges
remarks upon it as damaging to Poulet's character. It is hard,
however, to see why the blame should fall upon him. Some men
perhaps would not have accounted honourable the details of the
work entailed by the office he held. But he read Mary's letters,
and now took possession of her money because he was ordered to
do so. This letter corrects another of Mr. Froude's inaccuracies.
" Paulet, with Secretary Wade," he says,^ " who had accompanied
Gorges down, galloped back to Chartley, where drawers, boxes,
and cabinets were broken open and searched." Poulet did not
gallop back to Chartley. " As you know, I was no commissioner
in this search, but had my hands full at Tixall."

Poulet to Walsingham?

Sir, — I did forbear according to your direction, signified
by your letters of the 4th of this present, to proceed to
the execution of the contents of Mr. Waad's letters unto
you for the dispersing of this lady's unnecessary servants,
and for the seizing of her money, wherein I was bold to
write unto you my simple opinion (although in vain, as it
now falleth out) by my letters of the 7th of this instant,*
which I doubt not are with you before this time.

But upon the receipt of your letters of the 5 th (which
came not to my hand until the 8th in the evening, by
reason as did appear by an endorsement that they had
been mistaken and were sent back to Windsor, after that
they were already entered into the way towards me), I
considered that being accompanied only with my own
servants, it might be thought that they would be entreated
to say as I would command them, and therefore I thought
good for my better discharge in these money matters to
crave the assistance of Mr. Richard Bagot, who repairing

^ History of Scotland, App., p. 426; also Ellis, vol. iii., p. 6.

" History, vol. xii., p. 160.

3 Cotton. MSS., Caligula, C. ix., f. 378.

* This letter is not among the State Papers.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 289

unto me the next morning, we had access to this Queen,
whom we found in her bed troubled after the old manner
with a defluxion which was fallen down into the side of
her neck, and had bereft her of the use of one of her
hands, unto whom I declared that upon occasion of her
former practices, doubting lest she would persist therein by-
corrupting underhand some bad members of this State,
I was expressly commanded to take her money into my
hands, and to rest answerable for it when it shall be
required, advising her to deliver the said money unto me
with quietness.

After many denials, many exclamations and many
bitter words against you (I say nothing of her railing
against myself), with flat affirmation that her Majesty
might have her body, but her heart she should never have,
refusing to deliver the key of her cabinet, I called my
servants, and sent for bars to break open the door, where-
upon she yielded, and causing the door to be opened,
I found there in the coffers mentioned in Mr. Waad's
remembrance five rolls of canvas containing five thousand
French crowns, and two leather bags, whereof the one had
in gold one hundred and four pounds, two shillings, and
the other had three pounds in silver, which bag of silver
was left with her, affirming that she had no more money
in this house, and that she was indebted to her servants
for their wages.

Mr. Waad's note maketh mention of three rolls left in
Curie's chamber, wherein no doubt he was misreckoned,
which is evident as well by the testimonies and oaths of
divers persons, as also by probable conjectures, so as in
truth he found only two rolls, every of which containeth
one thousand crowns, which was this Queen's gift to
Curie's wife at her marriage. \In marg. Curie can tell
you the truth of this matter.]

There is found in Nau's chamber in a cabinet a chain
of gold worth by estimation one hundred pounds, and in

290 Sir Amias Poulet,

money in one bag nine hundred pounds, in a second
bag two hundred [and] fifty-nine pounds, and in a silk
purse two hundred, four score, and six pounds, eighteen
shiUings.

All the foresaid parcels of money are bestowed in bags
and sealed by Mr. Richard Bagot, saving five hundred
pounds of Nau's money which I reserve in my hands for
the use of this household, and may be repaid at London
where her Majesty shall appoint out of the money received
lately by one of my servants out of the Exchequer.

I feared lest this people might have dispersed this
money in all this time, or have hidden the same in some
secret corners, for doubt whereof I had caused all this
Queen's family, from the highest to the lowest, to be
guarded in the several places where I found them, so
as if I had not found the money with quietness, I had
been forced to have searched first all their lodgings, and
then their own persons. I thank God with all my heart
as for a singular blessing that it falleth out so well,
fearing lest a contrary success might have moved some
hard conceits in her Majesty.

Touching the dispersing of this Queen's servants, I
trust I have done so much as may suffice to satisfy her
Majesty for the time, wherein I could not take any
absolute course until I heard again from you, partly
because her Majesty by Mr. Waad's letter doth refer to
your consideration to return such as shall be discharged
to their several dwellings and countries, wherein it is
seemeth you have forgotten to deliver your opinion ;
partly for that I have as yet received no answer from
you of your resolution upon the view of the Scottish
family sent unto you, what persons you do appoint to
be dismissed.

Only this I have done. I have bestowed all such as
are mentioned in this bill inclosed in three or four several
rooms as the same may suffice to contain them, and have

Keeper of Mary Quee7i of Scots, 291

ordered that they shall not come out of their chambers,
and that their meat and drink shall be brought unto them
by my servants.

It may please you to advertise me by your next letters,
in what sort, and for what course, I shall make their pass-
ports, and also if they shall say that they are unpaid of
their wages, what I shall do therein. It is said that they
have been accustomed to be paid of their wages at Christ-
mas for the whole year. {^In marg. This lady hath good
store of money at this present in the French Ambassador's
hands.] Her Majesty's charges will be somewhat diminished
by the departure of this people, and my charge by this
occasion will be the more easy. But the persons all, saving
Bastian, are such seely and simple souls, as there was no
great cause to fear their practices, and upon this ground
I was of opinion in my former letters that all this dismissed
train should have followed their mistress until the next
remove, and there to have been discharged upon the
sudden, for doubt that the said remove might be delayed,
if she did fear or expect any hard measure.

Others shall excuse their foolish pity as they may ;
but for my part, I renounce my part of the joys of heaven,
if in anything that I have said, written, or done, I have
had any other respect than the furtherance of her Majesty's
service, and so I shall most earnestly pray you to affirm
for me ; as likewise for the not seizing of the money by
Mr. Manners, the other commissioners, and myself, I trust
Mr. Waad hath answered in all humble duty for the whole
company that no one of us did so much as think that our
commission reaching only to the papers, we might be bold
to touch the money, so as there was no speech of it at
all to my knowledge, and as you know, I was no commis-
sioner in this search, but had my hands full at Tixall.
Discreet servants are not hasty to deal in great matters
without warrant, and especially where the cause is such as
the delay of it carrieth no danger.
T 2

292 Sir Amias Poulet,

Your advertisement of that happy remove hath been
greatly comfortable unto me, I will not say in respect of
myself, because my private interest hath no measure of
comparison with her Majesty's safety and with the quiet
of this realm. God grant a happy and speedy issue to
these good and godly counsels.

And so I commit you to His merciful protection.

From Chartley, the loth of September, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

My servant repairing to my Lord Treasurer's according
to your commandment, found his lordship ready to enter
into his coach towards the Court, as so as he said he
could not write, but commanded him to signify unto me
that I should prepare to remove with all speed, and that I
should put all things in good safety. His lordship asked
him if you had written, and it seemed that he thought
you had written unto me touching this remove, wherein
as yet I have heard nothing.

Efidorsed by Phelippes — Septemb. 10. Sir Amyas Poulet.

Poulet to Walsinghamy
Sir, — I find by your letter of the 12th, received this
last night at midnight, that you were not acquainted with
my Lord Treasurer's first and second letter unto me of
the 8th, the contents whereof may appear unto you by my
answer to the same, sent to his lordship. I find this lady
very willing to remove upon hope to hear often from the
French Ambassador, by reason that her lodging is within
thirty miles of London, and now twenty carts are appointed
to be laden here this next morrow, and I think we shall
remove from hence about the middle of this next week, if
we be not stayed by contrary news, whereof I thought

^ Vol. xix., n. 102.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 293

good to advertise you. Sithence my last letters unto
you I found in a casket in Nau's chamber 5/. \Qs. in gold
and 2js. 2>d. in white money, and among the same the
silver piece inclosed, by the which you may easily judge of
his malicious, cankered, and traiterous heart towards her
Majesty. All this Queen's seals were in this casket, which
are in great number, and to serve for privy packets and all
other purposes.

And thus I leave you to the mercy and favour of the
Almighty.

From Chartley, the 15th of September, 1586.

Nau had bestowed these pieces of silver among a
number of Agnus Dei.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

Poidet to Walsingham}

Sir, — I have not failed according to the direction given
unto me to advertise my Lord Treasurer from day to day
of my proceedings in this late journey, which being now
.finished, thanks be to God, Mr. Thomas Gorge repaireth
to the Court to make report to her Majesty of all the
circumstances belonging. I shall be glad to hear that you
are recovered of your late grief. And thus wishing unto
you all happiness, I commit you to the merciful protection
of our good God.

From Fotheringay, the 25th of September, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

Endorsed— 2^\h September, 1586. From Sir Amyas
Paulett. Of his arrival with the Scottish Queen to
Fotheringay.

^ Vol. xix., n. 113.

294 'Sir Amias Poulet,

The Commissioners, of whom Walsingham was one, were
those who were sent to Fotheringay as Mary's judges. The
accounts of the trial must be sought elsewhere, as it does not
enter into the series of letters that are here reproduced.

Potilet to Walsingharn?-

Sir, — I have received your letters of the 28th of this
present, and am very glad to find by the same that you
are so well recovered of your late grief, and that you are
appointed a commissioner to come hither, trusting now to
be so happy to see you once again before I die, which I
should never have done if I had continued one year more
in that unhealthy house at Chartley, finding myself already
well amended in my health sithence my entrance into this
journey. I have no other matter for you at this time.

And so do commit you to the mercy of the Almighty.

From Fotheringay, the 29th of September, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

Poulet to Walsingham}
Sir, — I was very willing to have provided a chamber for
you and had taken order for it, but Sir Walter Mildmay
hearing thereof hath given me to understand that the
chamber appointed for him near adjoining to the council
chamber shall serve for you and him, and that he knoweth
you would have it so. He hath also made provision for
your diet in that chamber. I have taken order for room
for ten or twelve of your horses in the stable appointed
for my use. I take it for an especial favour and cannot
thank you enough for your friendly proffer, touching the
traffic desired by the merchants of the west parts to be
established in Jersey and Guernsey, wherein I can say
little without conference with the merchants, only I shall
most heartily pray you that if this traffic be granted it

^ Vol. xix., n. 115. Holograph. ^ Vol. xx., n. 3.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 295

may be left indifferent to both the isles, and then my
neighbour Sir Thomas Leighby [Leighton] and I shall
agree very well I doubt not.

You will not be here so soon as I wish for you, and
indeed I think every day three until you come. And thus
with my second thanks for your 'friendly remembrance
touching this Jersey cause, I commit you to the mercy of
the Almighty.

From Fotheringay, the 5th of October, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

Queen Elisabeth to Sir Amias Foulet}
Right trusty, &c., — Forasmuch as heretofore the Queen
your charge hath taken exception to such Ministers of
ours as have been sent to treat with her, for that they
came not accompanied with letters of credit from us
directed to herself, we have therefore thought meet to
the end she may take no exception unto the Commissioners
we now send, being persons of that quality and honour
they are, for lack of letters of credit directed from our-
self to her, to send you the inclosed herewithal, which
our pleasure is that you shall deliver unto her, at such
time as by you and the rest of the said Commissioners
shall be thought meet. And so, &c.
October 6th, 1586.

Endorsed — Minute of a letter to Sir Amys Paulet.

The Commissioners arrived at Fotheringay Castle on the
nth of October, and on the 15th the Court was adjourned to
the Star Chamber at Westminster. It was by Elizabeth's express
order that sentence was not passed at Fotheringay. " She caused
me to write a few hasty and scribbled lines at midnight," Davison
wrote ^ to Walsingham on the 14th, "for the stay of the sentence

^ Vol. XX., n. 5. ' Domestic, Elizabeth y vol. cxciv., n. 43.

296 ' ' Sir Amias Poulet,

against the said Queen until your return to her Majesty's presence
to make report what you have done, notwithstanding by your
general verdict there she be found guilty of the crimes whereof
she standeth charged." But the next day he wrote ^ that
Elizabeth feared lest this "stay of pronouncing the sentence
. . . may have wrought some hindrance to the rest of that
course you are to take, as proceeding to the verdict upon the
indictment and proofs against her, a [thing which] in truth would
as little please her as there is little cause to doubt."

"We had proceeded presently to sentence," Walsingham
wrote 2 to Leicester, "but that we had a secret countermand, and
were forced under some other colour to adjourn our meeting
until the 25 th of this month at Westminster. I see this wicked
creature ordained of God to punish us for our sins and unthank-
fulness, for her Majesty hath no power to proceed against her
as her own safety requireth." The "colour" for the adjournment
is given by Burghley in a letter^ to Davison on the same day.
It was his business to hide the fact that Elizabeth had given
this " secret countermand," and he pledges the Queen to permit
sentence to be passed at the next meeting. "We had great
reason to prorogue our Session, which is done till the 25 th, and
so we of the Council will be at the Court the 22nd. And we
find all persons here in commission fully satisfied as by her
Majesty's order judgment will be given at our next meeting ; but
the record will not be perfected in five or six days, and that was
one cause why if we should have proceeded to judgment we
should have tarried five or six days more, and surely the country
could not bear it, by the waste of bread especially. Our company
there and within six miles [is] above two hundred horsemen.
But by reason of her Majesty's letter, we of her Council, that
is the Lord Chancellor, Mr. Vice-Chamberlain, Mr. Secretary,
and myself only did procure this prorogation for the other two
causes."

It happened as EHzabeth feared, and the adjournment took
place without any verdict having been given. Burghley received

^ Domestic y Elizabeth, vol. cxciv., n. 44.
' Cotton. MSS., Caligula, C. ix., f. 502.
3 Ibid. f. 533 ; Ellis, vol. iii. p. 12.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 297

Davison's letter on Sunday the i6th, at his house at Burghley,
which caused him to write ^ to Walsingham, "I have showed
how unpossible it is to convene us together afore the 25 th, both
because it should be an error in law, the commission being
adjourned, and almost in fact unpossible to come sooner than
our day appointed. I have given hope that the matter will take
a good end, and honourable for such a cause, which would
not upon two only days, or rather but upon one day and a half
hearing be also judged; for so we might verify the Scottish
Queen's allegation, that we came thither with a prejudgment,
and that as she said it was so reputed commonly."

Burghley to Walsingha?n?

Sir, — Being come to this town of Royston this
Wednesday, at night, I first received a letter from Sir
Amias Poulet by a servant of his own that came hither,
and by that he wrote to me that he had advertised you^
of some speeches of late betwixt the Scottish Queen and
him, but his special cause of sending to me was to have
some money, which at my coming to London on Friday I
will accomplish.

And after that I had supped, there came a letter
directed to you from him also, which I thought might be
the letter whereof he made mention to me, although if it so
be, it appeareth that the post maketh less haste than the
ordinary pursuivant.

If there be any matter that hath passed from that
Queen worth knowledge, I pray you advertise me.

The letter that yesterday came to me from you, sent
by Mr. Davison, was written on Saturday, so as hitherto
I cannot understand how her Majesty accepteth of our
same Saturday's work in adjourning our commission. I
mind to be at Theobalds to-morrow at night, and at
Westminster on Friday at night.

^ Domestic f Elizabeth^ vol. cxciv., n. 45.

* Domestic, Elizabeth, vol. cxciv., n. 49. Holograph.

3 This letter to Walsingham is not among the State Papers.

298

Sir Amias Poulet,

My Lord of Shrewsbury, as I think, lodgeth this night
at Huntingdon, and my Lord of Rutland at Stilton.
From Royston, 19th October, 1586.

Yours assuredly,

W. BURGHLEY.

Poulet to Walsi7ighaj7i}
Sir, — I send unto you inclosed herein the copy of my
articles postilled by you, together with the names of the
Scottish retinue at Chartley.^ And whereas by direction

^ Vol. XX., n. 16. Holograph.

^ The names of the Scottish Queen's family remaining at Chartley the
29th of August, 1586 [four days after Mary's return from Tixall], and in what
rooms they serve :

Men Servants.
French Mr. Burgoigne
Gervais

Nic. de la Marre
Bastian Pagez
Hanniball
Symon
+ Baltazar, old and
tent
English Robert Mooreton .
French + Charles Plouvart

,, + Dedier, an old man
Scottish John Lawder
French Martyn

,, Nicholas

Scottish Hamilton
English Percye
French Silvester

impo-

Physician : Ralf, his servant, English.

Chirurgeon.

Apothecary.

Grooms of her chamber.

Page of her chamber.

Tailors of her wardrobe.

Embroiderer.

Panterers.

... Master cook.
... Pasteler.
... Under cook.

\ Boys and tumbroches of the kitchen.
English + Little Hamerlyn ... ^

„ + Thomas Welshe, one of this number, hath been discharged withia

these two days for his misdemeanour.
,, Roger Sharpe

,, Lawrence Barloe ...

,, John Jackson

,, Robert

,, + Henry
Scottish + Lawrence
English + George ...

Women Servants.
Scottish + Curie's wife
French + Beauregard
Scottish t5 Jane Kenethye
,, w Elizabeth Curie
Gillis Mowbray

Coachman.

Grooms of her stable.

Nau's servant.
Curie's servant.
Melvin's servant.

Gentlewomen of her chamber.

Keeper of Mary Qtceen of Scots,

299

from my Lord Treasurer and you, I sent two of my
servants to Chartley to bring hither Mr. Melvin, Bastian's
daughter, and Mr. Melvin's servant, the charges in the
journey for the whole company in coming and going
amounting to the sum of 105^-, or thereabouts, it seeming
reasonable that the Scottish Queen should bear the
charge thereof, because it was done for her service
and contentment, wherein I pray your direction. I pray
you let me hear from you if it will be expected that I
should see my charge often, which as I do not desire to
do, so I do not see that any good can come of it so long

English
Scottish

}

Maidens to serve the Queen'
women.

Laundresses.

Catharine Braye ... )^ Maidens to serve the Queen's gentle-

A Scottish maid
,, Bastian's wife

,, Her two daughters

,, Her sbn

English Elizabeth Butler
,, Alice Sharpe

,, + Alice Foster
38.
Of which number these following seem to be unnecessary if this lady shall
be restrained of her liberty.

Men Servants.
Baltazar

Charles Plouvart
Didier
Hamilton

Roger Sharpe, Coachman ... ^
Lawrence Barloe
John Jackson

Robert

Henry

Lawrence

George

Women Servants.
Curie's wife
Catharine Bray ...
Bastian's wife ...
Her two daughters
Her son

The three laundresses may be reduced to two.
19.
If Bastian's wife be discharged, it is like that Bastian will desire to go
with his wife, wherein there were no great loss, because he is cunning in his
kind, and full of slight to corrupt young men.

Endorsed— TYiQ Scottish Queen's family (Vol. xix., n. 65); Labanoff,
torn, vii., p. 250.

Tailor of her wardrobe.
Embroiderer.
Panterer.
Under cook.

May be spared if their mistress be not
allowed to ride abroad.

Nau's servant.
Curie's servant.
Melvin's servant.

Gentlewoman of her chamber.
Who serveth the gentlewomen.

300 Sir Amias Poulet,

as I stand assured that she is forthcoming. God send you
a good journey to the Court, and prosper all your doings
to His glory. Wishing the like to Mr. Vice-Chamberlain.

From Fotheringay, this present Saturday [.? October 22],
1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

Mary knew full well the peril of her life in which she stood,
and Poulet's letters disclose to us her brave carriage in this
trying time.

Poulet to Walsingham?-

Sir, — I took occasion yesterday afternoon, accompanied
with Mr. Stallenge, to visit this Queen, who hath been
troubled these two days last past with a defluxion in one of
her shoulders, intending to take physic this next morrow.
I see no change in her from her former quietness and
security certified in my last letters, careful to have her
chambers put in good order, desirous to have divers things
provided for her own necessary use, expecting to have
her money shortly rendered unto her, taking pleasure in
trifling toys, and in the whole course of her speech free
from grief of mind in outward appearance.

I tarried with her one hour and a half at the least,
which I did of purpose to feel her disposition, and moving
no new matter myself, suffered her to go from matter to
matter at her pleasure. She had long speech of the
Countess of Shrewsbury, of the Lord of Abergavenny,
and of some other things not worthy of advertisement.
This only I thought good to signify unto you, that falling
in talk of the late assembly here, and having glanced at
the Lord Zouch for his speech in her chamber, and also at
the Lord Morley for some things delivered by him to the
lords sitting next unto him, which she said she overheard
and told him of it in the open assembly, she was curious
^ Vol. XX., n. 17.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 301

to be informed of the names of one such sitting in such a
place, and of others sitting in other places, saying that one
had said little, another somewhat more, and others very-
much. I told her that I might easily perceive by her hard
conceit of the lords which she had named already she was
much inclined to think ill of all those that spake, and
therefore I would forbear to name any man unto her,
praying her to conceive honourably of the whole assembly,
and to think that those which spake, and the rest which
were silent, were of one consent and mind to hear her
cause with all indifferency.

She added that the histories made mention that this
realm was used to blood. I answered that if she would
peruse the chronicles of Scotland, France, Spain, and Italy,
she should find that this realm was far behind any other
Christian nation in shedding of blood, although the same
was often very necessary where dangerous offences did
arise. She was not willing to wade farther in this matter,
and indeed it was easy to see that she had no meaning in
this speech to reach to her own cause, but did utter it by
way of discourse after her wonted manner. Thus you see
that I am bold to trouble you with trifles, as one willing
to be blamed rather for lack of good matter, than for want
of diligence. And so I commit you to the mercy and
favour of our good God.

From Fotheringay, the 24th of October, 1586.

This note inclosed being found among Nau's things,
and your name being mentioned therein, I thought good
to send it unto you.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

Autograph postcript — It seemeth by all circumstances
that this Queen hath had no intelligence of the prorogation
of the late assembly, and that she is utterly void of all
fear of harm.

302 Sir Amias Poulet,

The following letters show, in addition to those already-
given, that several letters from Poulet were received after the
trial and before the date of our next letter-book, which are
not to be found among the State Papers in the Public Record
Office.

Davison to Burghley?-

My especial good Lord, — The letters here inclosed came
to me yesterday from Mr. Secretary, which having imparted
with her Majesty I thought immediately to have sent to
your lordship, but that some speech her Majesty let fall of
your return hither yesternight made me in expectation
thereof retain them by me.

Sir Amias Poulet his complaint of the weakness both
of his number and the place where he is, to resist any
desperate attempt [which] might in this doubtful time be
made in favour of the Queen his charge, is a thing her
Majesty thinketh fit to be provided for ; which in her own
opinion may best be done by a levy of some one hundred
or two hundred, to be disposed in some apt places near
him ready against any sudden [attempt] for his relief,
which her Highness willed me to signify unto your
lordship to consider of and take order for, if you find
not some other way, as by arming some of the best
affected gentlemen thereabouts, more expedient.

To remove her thence, especially to any place nearer,
I find no disposition in her. For his other wants of powder
and shot, she is so willing to have him supplied as breeds
some doubt she will not hastily ease him of his present
cares.

Some lack her Majesty noteth in himself that he doth
not advertise her Highness what speeches and discourses
do fall from her, since your lordships being with her ; and
hath willed Mr. Secretary to let him know that she looketh
for more particularities in these things from him.

^ Domestic^ Elizabeth, vol. cxciv., n. 66. Holograph.

Keeper of Mary Qtceen of Scots. 303

Of our Ambassadors' letters I found her Majesty to take
little taste, containing as she took it nothing worthy the
charge they put her to. With them I send your lordship
the copy of an instruction from the King of Navarre to
de Reaux, touching the interview betwixt the Queen
mother and him, which it seems hath some other subject
and scope than an intent to meet on the one side or the
other, at the least to any good purpose in her behalf.
Which is all I have now to trouble your lordship with,
whom I most humbly recommend to the grace and provi-
dence of the Almighty.

Richmond, this 29th of October, 1586.

Your lordship's humbly at commandment,

W. Davison.

John Wallis is this morning despatched from Mr. Secre-
tary into France, and will in his way attend upon your
lordship to see what it may please you to command him.

Burghley to Davison}

Sir, — I have read Mr. Paulett's^ letters which you sent
me, and finding thereby his opinion of the weakness of one
part of the Castle of Fotheringay, and of lack of shot and
powder, of both which I perceive her Majesty would have
regard had. For the first, I think best in my opinion that
he had an increase of forty or fifty soldiers for watch and
ward, who being well chosen by himself will serve to better
purpose than two hundred without the castle, or arming of
any gentlemen thereabout. For shot and powder I will
take order with a servant of his that is an agent for him
here in London for the provision thereof.

And considering I mind by God's grace to be there^
to-morrow at night, I do forbear to proceed any further

^ Domestic f Elizabeth, vol. cxciv., n. 68. Holograph.

^ In the Calendar it is printed *' Mr. Parlett." It is Sir Amias.

3 '♦ There," that is at Windsor.

304 Sir Amias P 021 let,

herein until her Majesty may direct the same, and yet I
will presently write to Mr. Poulet about both these matters,
so as his further mind may also be known, either to-morrow
at night, or on Tuesday some time.

And so until my return I forbear to write any more.
To-morrow in the afternoon the Commissioners must meet
at the Star Chamber, so as, the cause being of great length,
to hear and conclude upon the whole process in form of a
record. It will be late before I can come thither, specially
seeing I shall bring the gout with me in my foot, which
nobody, either here nor there, will accept from me I am
sure. But I thank God my hand is free.

30th October, 1586.

Your letter is dated yesterday, and yet came not to me
until past twelve this 30th.

Yours assuredly,

W. BURGHLEY.

Poulet to Walsingham}

Sir, — Although I have no matter worthy of you, yet
having a convenient messenger without troubling of the
post, I thought good to advertise you that this Queen hath
taken physic this week three times, and by occasion thereof
according to her wonted manner hath been sick, so as she
hath not come out of her bed these five or six days and
there remaineth as yet.

Your letters of the 26th have comforted me greatly,
and I thank you for them as for an especial favour, praying
you to do the like as you shall proceed further. And so
I commit you to the mercy of the Highest.

From Fotheringay, the 30th of October, 1586. \

Your most assured poor friend,

A. Poulet.

^ Vol. XX., n. 19. Holograph.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 305

Burghley to VValstngham}

Sir, — I know it [is] unreasonable to send you any
matter to take care thereof, considering how otherwise
your mind is burthened, with a care not easily to be
removed ; ^ but yet having received in a packet to me
addressed from Sir Amias Poulet a letter^ to myself and
another to you, not knowing what might be in yours, I
venture under your patience to send them both to you, not
finding in mine, to the principal point for strengthening of
the place, any resolute opinion but argumentation, doubtful
to both sides ; and therefore I would for answer to be
made to mine, that Mr. Secretary Davison might report his
answer, and receive her Majesty's resolution : and if both
our letters be sent to him, I think her Majesty's answer
shall be best for us both. For I still find by experience
that such directions must be taken as princes shall givQ
after counsel given.

Nov. 2, 1586.

It is curious to see how completely Burghley looked on
Mary's death as inflicted for religion. It is for the good of
the Church that she is to die, and the sacredness of the cause
removes the case from the operation of the rule of the old
Canon Law that Bishops were to take no part in trials for life
or capital sentences.

Burghley to Davison.^

Sir, — Yesterday in the Parliament chamber grew a
question whether it was convenient for the two Arch-
bishops^ and four other Bishops to accompany the other
lords temporal in their petition to her Majesty for

1 Domestic^ Elizabeth, vol. cxcv., n. i. Holograph.

2 Walsingham had just lost his son-in-law, Sir Philip Sydney, who died
October i6, 1586, of the wound he received at the battle of Zutphen, on the
22nd of September,

2 These letters are not among the State Papers.
* Domestic y Elizabeth , vol. cxcv., n. ii. Holograph.
^ John Whitgift and Edwin Sandys.
U

3o6 Sir Amias Poulet,

execution of the Scottish Queen. Some scruple I had
whether her Majesty would like it, because in former times
the Bishops in Parliament were wont to absent themselves.
But yet I do not think unlawful for them to be present
and persuaders in such causes, as the execution of
the sentences tend to the state of the Church as this
doth.

I pray you do use some speech thereof to her Majesty,
that it may be felt whether she will like or mislike, for so
will my Lord of Canterbury direct the course. Return me
word with that speed you can. I have spoken with
Sir Drue Drury, whom Mr. Secretary will despatch this
afternoon. With too much haste,

Yours assuredly,

W. BURGHLEY.
This Friday, [.? Nov. 4].

If Mary had read the letter that follows, she would not
have been able to retain the opinion she had formed, that she
might expect fairness from Lord Burghley. He flippantly com-
pares the sentence to a young child that is now old enough to
speak. Dr. Lingard quotes^ Burghley's letter to Hatton that
Nau and Curie "would yield somewhat to confirm their mistress'
crimes if they were persuaded that themselves might escape
and the blow fall upon their mistress betwixt her head and her
shoulders;" and he adds, "Was then the decapitation of Mary
a subject of merriment to the Lord Treasurer ? The wary
courtier knew to whom he was writing, and to whom his letter
would be shown."

Btirghley to Davison?

Mr. Secretary, — I have considered how Ash Wednesday

falleth this year coming, which shall be a full month after

Candlemas, so as it will be unto Ash Wednesday three full

months, that is a quarter of a year. Ash Wednesday shall

1 History of England, 1844, vol. viii., p. 2 1 9.
^ Domestic f Elizabethy vol. cxcv., n. 22.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 307

be the ist of March, and Easter Day the 16th of April,
about which time it will be meet that all persons be in the
countries maritime, to provide for defence.

I pray you remember her Majesty to send in writing
the manner of the speeches that my Lord Chancellor shall
use to-morrow at the prorogation of the Parliament. I
knew her Majesty meaneth to thank them for their pains,
and specially for their care and continuance therein for her
safety. But if they have not some comfort also to see the
fruits of their cares by some demonstration to proceed
from her Majesty, the thanks will be of small weight to
carry into the countries ; and then the realm may call this
a vain Parliament or otherwise nickname it a Parliament
of words. For there is no law made for the realm, and
if also there be no publication presently of so solemn a
sentence, the sentence against the Scottish Queen will
be termed a dumb sentence, whereof the nobility that
have given it, and all the Parliament that have affirmed
it, may repent themselves of their time spent.

The sentence is already more than a full month and
four days old. It was full time it should also speak.

If her Majesty will sign it this day, both the Ambas-
sador of Scotland may be prevented this day in that point,
as done to satisfy the importunity of the noblemen in
commission, and of all the [EJstates in Parliament ; and
to-morrow also my Lord Chancellor^ may declare the
same to the liking of the Parliament.

And for hope of the last part for execution, if her
Majesty shall be content that it be said that therein she
will prefer no other men's advices or any stranger's for
her surety afore her own people, she shall leave hope of
execution. And to that hope I beseech God give full
perfection.

Thus you see I cannot but utter my opinion, long afore
day light, for I have been up since five.

^ Sir Thomas Bromley, who died April 12, 1587.
U 2

3o8 Sir Amias Poulet,

Poulet to Bnrghley}-

My very good Lord, — I can hardly express unto your
lordship the great joy which I have conceived of your
choice of Sir Drue Drury for my assistant in this charge,
wherein, although I know that your lordship's chief and
principal regard hath been to further her Majesty's service,
yet because your lordship cannot be ignorant of the old
acquaintance and good friendship between this gentleman
and me, I take it for an especial favour that among so
many others meet for this place, it hath pleased your lord-
ship to make choice of one such as was so likely to be
welcome unto me, as indeed he shall be most heartily
welcome. I am well recovered of my gout, I thank God,
having felt no pain these three or four days, and now I
doubt not but that these good news will set me on foot
without delay.

And thus, with most humble thanks for your manifold
favours, I commit your good lordship to the merciful
protection of the Almighty.

From Fotheringay, the 13th of November, 1586.

Your lordship's to command,

A. Poulet.

Addressed — To the right honourable my very good
lord, the Lord of Burghley, Lord Treasurer of England.

Poulet to Walsingham?
Sir, — Your several letters of the 13th of this present
I received this day at nine in the morning, and now
according to your direction Mr. Stallenge cometh unto
you, who hath behaved himself here in good and honest
sort, willing and ready to do his best endeavour to the
furtherance of her Majesty's service, and yet to say truly
unto you, having received no warrant for it, I have not
^ Vol. XX., n. 27. 2 Vol, XX., n. 28.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 309

employed him in anything concerning this lady, neither
hath he had access to her or any of her people but in my
presence, not for any doubt I had of the gentleman,
because he was sent unto me from her Majesty, but for
that I had no commission to employ him in such like
causes, whereof I thought good to advertise you for his
discharge, doubting lest some greater report might be
expected at his hands than he is able to make. Sir Drue
Drury arrived here the 13th of this present, in the evening,
by whose assistance I find myself so much strengthened,
as I trust I may be bold to assure you that all things shall
fall out here to the full discharge of his duty and mine. I
have sent your letters to Sir Richard Dyer, trusting that
your speedy resolution will abridge this trouble and charge,
and indeed the gaining or losing of one day may be the
gaining or losing of a kingdom. Sithence the writing of my
last, I received these inclosed from Curie's wife, and will
not fail to convey the letter received from you for her, as
soon as I may.

And thus, with due commendations from Sir Drue
Drury and myself, I commit you to the mercy of the
Highest.

From Fotheringay, the 15th of November, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

Queen Elizabeth to Poulet}

Right trusty, &c., — We have thought it very con-
venient for sundry respects to send our right trusty and
well-beloved councillor the Lord of Buckhurst, and our
servant Beale, to acquaint the Queen, your charge, as
well with the proceedings of the Commissioners since their
departure from our Castle of Fotheringay, as also what
iiath been lately done in Parliament. Upon communicating

^ Vol. XX., n. 30.

3IO Sir Amias Poulet,

unto them the said Commissioners' proceedings both at our
said castle and since their return, as by their particular
instructions you shall more at large understand, which we
have willed them to impart unto you ; and therefore our
pleasure is that you permit them to have access unto the
said Queen, hoping in God that before their repair thither
you will be restored to that good state of health, as you
may be able to assist and join with them in the present
service committed to their charge. And in case the said
Queen shall desire to have any conference apart, upon
pretence to reveal some secret matter to be communicated
unto us, either with the Lord of Buckhurst, or with any one
of our said servants above named, we are content to assent
thereunto, if she shall earnestly request the same ; for that
otherwise we could best like that you to whom the only
charge of her is committed, should be present when any
such speeches should be delivered.

Endorsed — The minute of a letter of her Majesty to
Sir Amys Poulet. November, 1586.

Poiilet to Walsiitghamy
Sir, — Your letters of the 19th came not to my hands
until this present day at three after noon, wherein you.
may see the lewd negligence of the posts, who might have
brought this letter inclosed to have been delivered to my
Lord of Buckhurst before his departure from hence this
present morning. My letters to her Majesty inclosed herein
will be, I doubt not, imparted unto you, and although it
pleaseth you to impute her Highness' intended liberality
towards my servants and soldiers to the report of Mr. Stal-^
lenge, yet I am greatly persuaded that the same hath
proceeded in the greater part, if not wholly, of your favour
towards me and mine, wherein you have bound me very

^ Vol. XX., n. 31'; Labanoff, torn, vii., p. 220.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 3 1 r

much, and indeed I thank you for it as for a singular
benefit.

And thus I leave to trouble you, beseeching God to
bless all your actions to His glory.

From Fotheringay, the 21st of November, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

I do not remember, and I think I may be bold to deny
that I have at any time left this lady in her passionate
speeches, but I confess that I have left her often in her
superfluous and idle speeches. I have said to Mr. Stallenge,
and it is very true, that in former time I have observed
this course [to] have as little talk with her as I might,
[but] now lately that, following your direction, I have
given her full scope and time to say what she would, and
yet at some times, finding no matter to come from her
worthy of advertisement, I have departed from her, as
otherwise she would never have left me, and I am
deceived if my Lord of Buckhurst will not give the
same testimony of her tediousness.

Potdet to Walsinghaiti}

Sir, — I perceive I was not much deceived in my con-
ceit, upon the receipt of your late letter, mentioning the
discharge of the trained soldiers appointed to be sent
hither out of Huntingdonshire, and the same to be supplied
by the like number to be taken out of this shire of
Northampton, which I took for an argument of the short
continuance of this service, and that I should not be
troubled with these soldiers at all. I am much confirmed
in this opinion and hope, by the late repair hither of the
Lord of Buckhurst, and now I trust the next messenger

^ Vol. XX., n. 32.

312 Sir Amias Poulety

will bring your last resolution, which God grant, to whose
mercifal protection I commit you.

From Fotheringay, the 2ist of November, 1586,

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

Autograph postscript — I have requested this bearer,
Mr. Beale, to pray your sign to a letter, wherein you
shall do me friendly pleasure.

The " opinion and hope " expressed in the letter just given,
pervades the last letter-book, to which we have now come.
Poulet's eagerness for Mary's death grows upon him as he
becomes personally more weary of the odious service in which
he was engaged, and as delay brought with it a probability that
her life would be spared. He looked forward with dread to the
possibility of her becoming his Queen, and the expressions of
his desire for her death are as strong as they well could be.

The value of this last letter-book consists in this, that with
the exception of two letters that are in the Record Office, and
one in the British Museum, its contents are unknown. As we
approach the end of the tragedy, the letters increase in interest,
and the letter-book fortunately supplies us with letters, the
originals of which have been, we cannot doubt, purposely taken
from the series in the State Papers.

The fragment with which the letter-book begins is a part of
Poulet's letter to Queen Elizabeth, which was inclosed in the
letter to Walsingham given above, dated the 21st of November.

. . . And this example so full of favour and bounty
will move others to the like and greater fidelity upon
like occasions occurring, as knoweth the Almighty, who
always preserve your most excellent Majesty.

To my Lord of Buckhiirst.
My very good Lord, — Your lordship hath bound me
long sithence by your liberality towards myself, and now

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 313

you have bound me again by your liberality extended
towards my servants and soldiers, and as the same hath
been greater than I would have wished, so my debt is
thereby the more increased, which I do acknowledge
with all thankfulness, and would make better satisfaction
if I were able.
And thus, &c.

To Mr. Stallenge, eodem die.
Sir, — I have been informed by letters from Sir Francis
Walsingham, of the friendly offices touching my servants
and soldiers, wherein you have deserved more of them
than they shall be able to acquite towards you ; and being
not ignorant that I have great interest in any command-
ments that shall be made of them or their service, I
acknowledge myself also to be beholden unto you herein,
and will be always ready to acquite it in all that I
may. And upon this promise, with my right hearty
commendations, &c.

About this time Mary wrote several letters, which she intrusted
to her servants to be delivered by them after her death. ^ In
these she gives her own account of the manner in which her
cloth of Estate or dais was taken down, and her account differs
greatly from Poulet's. On Saturday, the 19th of November, O.S.,
Lord Buckhurst, and Beale, Clerk of the Council, were sent
by Elizabeth to announce to Mary that sentence of death had
been pronounced against her. On Monday the 21st, the day
when Lord Buckhurst left Fotheringay,^ Poulet and Drury
told Mary that she was a dead woman without honour or
dignity, and that therefore they must remove her cloth of
Estate. Her own attendants refusing to touch it, they ordered
in seven or eight of their servants, by whom it was taken
down j and then, sitting covered in her presence, Poulet ordered

^ Her letter to Mendoza, dated November 23, 1586, O.S., was received
by him October 15, 1587, N.S. (Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 461).
^ Vol. XX., n. 31 ; supra^ p. 310.

314 ""^^^ Amias Poulet,

that her bilhard table should be removed, as she had no further
need of pastime. She answered that she had not used it since
it was put up, and that she had other occupations. A sad
office was in store for the cover of that billiard table. Imme-
diately after the execution, when the headsman had despoiled
Mary's corpse, it was carried into a room adjoining that
in which her maids of honour were confined ; and they looking
through a crevice saw the body of their mistress half covered by
a piece of rough woollen stuff, which had been hastily taken from
the biUiard table.^ Mary said that all Poulet's insolence was
brought upon her because she would not confess herself guilty
and beg pardon of Elizabeth. ^

After this, on the 23rd, some work was carried on in her
dining-room, while she was writing to Mendoza, and she
believed it to be the erection of a scaffold for her execution.
On Thursday the 24th, she wrote to the Duke of Guise,
that when Poulet and Drury visited her, "Je leur ay mon-
stre, au lieu de mes armes audit days, la croix de mon
Sauveur." Poulet says very expressly that her servants took
down the cloth of Estate, and not his, and he does not
mention to Elizabeth his insolence in putting on his hat in
Mary's presence.^ Mary wrote* to Elizabeth about a month
later, calHng it a useless cruelty, and showing how keenly she
felt the indignity. "Je pense que vous aures bien sceu que,
en vostre nom, on m'a faict abattre mon days, et apres on m'a
diet que ce n'estoit pas par votre commandement, mais par
I'advis d'aucuns du Conseil. Je loue Dieu que telle cruaulte,
ne servant qu'a exercer malice et m'affliger apres me estre
resolue a la mort, n'est venue de vous. Je crains que ainsi ne
soit de beaucoup d'autres choses, pourquoy on ne m'a voulu
permectre de vous escripre que apres m'avoir eu, a tant qu'en
eulx est, en forme degradee de principaulte et noblesses, me
disant que je n'estois qu'une simple femme morte, incapable
de toute dignitez."

It would seem that it was from Poulet's own expression that
he was "very curious and precise to be warranted in all his

^ Brantosme; Jebb, vol. ii., p. 493. ^ Infray p. 327.
^ Labanoff, torn, vi., pp. 459, 464, 469. ■* Ibid.^ p. 478.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 3 1 5

proceedings," that Elizabeth drew the censure she passed upon
him when he would not liberate her from her embarrassment
by the assassination of his prisoner.

To Mr. Secretary Davison^ November 28, 1586.

Sir, — Finding by your letters of the 25th of this present
that her Majesty doth not allow of my proceedings in
two several things, I submit myself most humbly to her
Highness' censure, with promise of all conformity to her
better directions. And yet for my discharge at least in
some little part of the blame imputed unto me, I am bold
to trouble you with the true and plain circumstances of my
doings herein, as one very willing to deserve no blame at
all if it were possible, although my manifold infirmities
of body and mind will not permit it in so weighty a
charge.

Touching the matter and manner of the taking down of
this lady's cloth of Estate. These are to advertise you
that whereas I had been given to understand by a late
letter from some friend about the Court, of her Majesty's
mislike that this lady did enjoy her cloth of Estate, the
truth is that I found her seized thereof, in her private
dining-chamber, at my first entrance into this service, and
had been informed by credible report that she had always
enjoyed the same in the sight and view of many Councillors
and others [nigh] unto her, and therefore I should never
have been so bold to have taken [it] from her without
direction from above, as one that ever hath been and shall
be hereafter, very curious and precise to be warranted in
all my proceedings. But finding her possessed at my first
coming unto her, of one other cloth of Estate, set up in
the chamber where I was to dine and sup, I thought it
impertinent, and not meet to be tolerated by any English
subject, and therefore caused it immediately to be taken
down, to this lady's great discontentment.^ And whereas

^ See vol. XV., n. 74 ; sitpra, p. ii.

3i6 Sir Amias Poulet,

it is witnessed that this other cloth of Estate had been
taken down in some morning before her coming into the
place, or at some other time when she had been absent, I
would gladly have done It in this sort, but by reason of the
straitness of her bed-chamber and of the chamber adjoining,
some of her gentlewomen are forced to take their lodging
at night in the dining-chamber, where the said cloth of
Estate was placed, so as I could have no access thither in
the morning ; and after noon she is very seldom out of her
dining-chamber. And as I had no mean to know when
she was retired into her bed-chamber ; so if she had been
there the same is so near adjoining, as I could not have
done it without her privity. And you may believe that she
would not have yielded unto it without conference with me.
As likewise I have never had access unto her, but after
knowledge given by one of her servants of my coming,
and then I was always assured to find her [in her] dining-
chamber under the cloth of Estate which was set over the
chimney, and covered the place she was accustomed to
sit at her dinner and supper, where I found her at this last
doings, and prayed her to retire herself out of the chamber,
which although she refused, yet she forsook her place and
sat down on the other side of the cham.ber, and at my
solicitation pretending that my servants could not take it
down so well as her own servant who had set it up, she
sent for the yeoman of her wardrobe and by him it was
taken down in my presence, so as it was not done in such
severe fashion as hath been supposed. And although my
direction herein was delivered unto me by express words
as from her Majesty, yet you may perceive by my last
letters, that I used all possible moderation, saying only
that "it was thought meet," without making mention of her
Majesty or any other, so as, indeed, it might seem unto
her, that I did it rather by order from Sir Francis
Walsingham, or you, or from some other lords of the
Council, than from her Highness.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 317

Thus much for the matter and manner of the taking
down of the said cloth of Estate. And now for some
answer to the second fault in not entertaining this lady
in the desire she had to write unto her Majesty, and
that although she had not desired it of me sithence the
departure from hence of the lords, yet I should have
made offer thereof unto her, I must confess that I never
made this offer, wherein if I have offended, the same
deserv^eth grace in that I did it not maliciously, but of a
settled opinion that without special direction, I ought
not in duty to move her unto it until she had desired it,
and in truth I was never willed and advised to do it by
any Councillor whosoever. And in respect of my duty to
her Majesty, I should never have done it without warrant.
It seemed to me sufficient that I had signified to her once
or twice, that if she had desired to write unto her Majesty
it had been permitted, whereby she could not but under-
stand that howsoever she had been restrained to write
shortly after the taking away of her secretaries, yet now she
might have done it, if she had been so disposed. And yet
to [speak] truly unto you, I did advertise Mr. Secretary
Walsingham of her desire to write, by two several letters,
doubting lest the blame of the refusal should have lighted
wholly upon myself, although I found it inconvenient in
my simple judgment to give her that scope at that time
without her Majesty's privity. This is all I can say for
mine excuse in some part of those faults whereby I trust
it will appear that the same have proceeded of ignorance,
most humbly praying her Majesty's pardon.

, Yesterday Sir Drue Drury and I took occasion to
visit this lady after noon, whom we found in her dining-
chamber sitting in her accustomed place ; and looking to
the chimney she said unto me, that although I had taken
down her cloth of Estate, which God and nature had given
unto her, yet she trusted that I would not take those
things from her which she had set up in the place thereof,

31 8 Sir Amias Poiilet,

which were eight or ten pictures in paper of the Passion

of Christ, and of other hke stuff fastened upon the hangings

over the chimney. I answered that indeed it was not

thought meet by some of the lords of her Majesty's Council

that standing now convict in law, she should be used with

these respects and ceremonies which before were permitted

unto her. She said she took it to have been so ordered

by her Majesty. I told her she had no reason to take

it so, because I made no particular mention either of

her Majesty or of her Council, but said in general terms

it was thought meet to have it so done. " Yea," saith she,

" many things are done by her Council which are not to be

imputed to her," affirming that for her part she did not

allow of the Council nor had to do with them. And

staying at this speech, I declared unto her that the Lord

of Buckhurst had made report unto her Majesty of her

requests, and that she should receive answer therein within

a day or two. "My requests," said she, "are not so many but

they may be soon answered." " Yet they are three or four

[in] number," quoth I, " [and] are so many as require some

consideration in the answer." She said she moved them

to none other end than by taking order with her servants,

and settling her other things she might be the better

prepared towards God. I told her that her purpose was

good, and no doubt she should receive answer very shortly,

adding that if she had been disposed to have advertised

by her letters to her Majesty, as well her requests, as

also such other matter as she delivered to the Lord of

Buckhurst in her private conference with him, I was very

well assured his lordship would not have refused it. She

answered that because his lordship was sent hither unto

her from her Majesty, and as she heard did appertain

to her Highness, (whereby she meant some matter of

alliance, and after she did expound it) she thought it

sufficient to commit those things to his lordship's report

I said there was no doubt but that his lordship would

(t .

Keeper of Mt^^^ Queen of Scots. 319

make true report of all things, and that I had put her in
remembrance of her writing for none other end than that
she should know that she might have written by his lord-
ship if she had desired it, and that if she continued in any
disposition of writing I would not fail to convey her letters.
She said that when all things were not so far past she was
willing to have written, but now standing condemned, she
was to think of other matters, and to prepare herself for a
better life in another world. And hereupon she fell into a
large discourse on the mercies of [God] towards her, and
of her preparation towards Him, and into many other
impertinent speeches not worthy to be recited ; as likewise
I omit some other talk which passed between her and me,
upon this ground tending only to the benefit of her soul,
and the discharge of my conscience. And thus I departed
from her, having endeavoured myself according to your
direction, to salve the two faults mentioned in your letters
in as clear manner as I could, without giving her cause to
think that I came to her to that purpose.
And thus, &c.

Ad eunde7n eodem die.
Sir, — I have received your letters of the 25 th of this
present with great joy, because they give unto me not only
assurance of her Majesty's safety (whom God in His mercy
long preserve from the dangerous snares of this lady under
my charge and her adherents), but also a most certain
testimony of your good affection and favour towards me,
which as I esteem very highly, so I will not be found
unworthy thereof, if it may suffice to love you unfeignedly
and to deal honestly and friendly with you. I am of this
disposition, that where I owe much I would owe more, and
therefore I pray you continue your good offices towards
me, and to bind me more and more to be your thankful
friend, and this is all you may expect of me. I have
delivered your commendations to Sir Drue Drury by the

320 Sir Amias Poulety

full view of your letters, and now both he and I return the
like towards you in the best and heartiest manner we can
devise, as knoweth the Almighty, &c.

To Sir Francis Walsingham, December 4, 1586.^
Sir, — I think the time very long sithence I heard from
you or any other about the Court, and I should fear lest
Fotheringay were forgotten, if I did not know that this
lady under my charge has given great cause to be remem-
bered by all true and faithful subjects ; whose dutiful care
for her Majesty's subjects, the continuance of the Gospel,
and the liberty and quiet of this realm, will not permit
them to sleep soundly until the head and seed plat of all
practices and conspiracies tending to the imminent sub-
version of Prince, realm, and people, be utterly extirped.
I thank God I have conceived a most steadfast hope of a
happy resolution, and yet the experience of former time
doth teach us that opportunities neglected are very often
accompanied with very dangerous effects. God has the
times and seasons in His hand, and His judgments cannot
be prevented, but will appear in their due hour. The lady
is said to be grieved in one of her knees, which is no new
thing unto her, and is not likely to have any continuance.
Thus you see that these few lines tend to none other end
than to draw from you one or two, if your leisure will so
permit.

And thus, &c.

To the Earl of Leicester, eodcm die.
My very good Lord, — Being given to understand of
your lordship's arrival at the Court, I would not fail to con-
gratulate the same by these few lines, as also your happy
success in your martial affairs, a principal mean of our
happy quietness, which God continue, if it be His good
pleasure. I trust to be so happy as to attend on your

1 Vol. XX., n. 38.

Keeper of Mary Queeri of Scots, 321

lordship shortly at the Court, whereof I have the greater
hope because the felicity of Queen and country consisteth
especially next after God, in the sacrifice of justice to be
duly executed upon this lady, my charge, the root and
well-spring of all our calamities.
And thus I, &c.

Her Majesty's charges were increased now that there were
two households to maintain instead of one, and the right chord
to strike was to play on Elizabeth's parsimony. Poulet has
done his best to play upon her fears.

To my Lord Treasurer, December 9, 1586.

My very good Lord, — Your lordship's letters of the 5 th
coming to my hands the 6th of this present, at nine in the
night, I sent the next morning for Mrs. Bridget Digby,
who coming to Mr. Cruse's house that day late in the
evening, yesterday I conferred with her, and received such
answer as may appear unto your lordship by this note
inclosed, having taken order with Mr. Cruse according to
your lordship s direction. I trust the Scottish household
at Chartley is not forgotten, which no doubt is chargeable
to her Majesty.

And thus, &c.

To Mr. Secretary Davison, December 11, 1586.
Sir, — Having not heard in many days from any friend
about the Court, and upon that only ground written to
Mr. Secretary Walsingham the 4th of this present, with
request to receive somewhat again of him, your letters of
the 6th of [the same] are come to my hands to my great
satisfaction, partly for your liberal advertisement of home
and foreign occurrents, for the which I most heartily thank
you, but especially in that you are content in this time of
expectation to remember your poor absent friend by your
letters, without any cause touching Prince or State moving

32 2 Sir Amias Poulet^

you thereunto, wherein you have bound me greatly, and I
pray you be not weary to bind me more and more, although
I can yield nothing again but a thankful, friendly mind. I
had written to my Lord of Leicester two days before the
receipt of your letters mentioning his lordship's favourable
remembrance of me.

These letters come unto you in a packet directed to
my Lord Treasurer, containing the examination of a gentle-
woman of [these] parts, taken before me by direction from
his lordship.

And thus, &c.

Poulet's ingenuity is great in varying the phrases in which
he expresses his vehement eagerness for Mary's death. A day
or two ago it was "the sacrifice of justice" that was "to be
duly executed upon this lady." Now it is a "gaol delivery''
he is anxious for. Yet he had a strong dislike to the correlative
title of gaoler.

To my Lord Treasure}'^ eodem die.
My very good Lord, — Captain Oliver has been here with
me this day, with whom I have resolved upon all things
touching the forty soldiers appointed for this service, which
are promised to be brought hither on Monday next. I am
so strongly persuaded of the honourable necessity of the
cause as I will not take this new supply for an argument
of a longer continuance of this service. I was not long
sithence a suitor to your lordship for a new supply of
powder, whereof surely there will be great need if the
service have any little continuance, every harquebusier of
my servants and soldiers having in store at my coming to
this castle only one flask full of powder, whereof some part
was spent the day of her Majesty's coronation. Although
I have but thirty soldiers, yet I have more than fifty
harquebusiers, it may please your lordship to relieve this
household with a new supply of money, the 400/. which
Mr. Darrell had last from your lordship being already

Keeper of Mary Qiceen of Scots, 323

spent and 200/. more. The charges of this family will be
greatly increased by reason of the Scottish household at
Chartley and this new supply of soldiers, wherein there is
no other remedy than by a gaol delivery, which God will
send in due time.
And thus, &c.

The letter to Davison of this day's date had been despatched
before the arrival of this now acknowledged from Walsingham,
who had been long silent, and who did not write again, save a
few lines about Mary's accounts, until he signed with Davison
the assassination letter of February ist. Poulet's fanatical hatred
to his prisoner quenches his natural feeling. He is mortally
afraid of anything that gives Mary the least chance of life ; or
he could never, himself a father, have spoken, as he here speaks,
of the letter in which James pleads with Elizabeth for his
mother's life.

To Sir Francis Walsingham^ eodem die?-
Sir, — I cannot thank you enough for your friendly
letters of the 7th of this present, and for your willing
favour to let me know upon every good occasion such
accidents as shall seem meet for me, which in this time
of expectation cannot but bring greater comfort, howsoever
things shall fall out, against all expectation. I should be
condemned for a busybody if I should write unto you all
that I think touching the copy of the Scottish King's
letters to Keith, not doubting but that her Majesty and
her most honourable Council will consider of it, in all
respect of honour to her Highness touching the manner,
and in all public and Christian judgment touching the
matter. Only I will say, that as I would be glad to
hear that her Majesty had not vouchsafed to read the
said letters at a second-hand, so I assure myself, that
having answered the French Ambassador (coming from
the mightiest Prince in Europe, and bringing a message of

1 Cotton. MSS., Caligula, C. ix., f. 561.
V 2

324 Sir Aniias Poulet,

great temperance) in such round, princely, and majestical
sort, as moved admiration in all the hearers; her Highness
being now justly provoked many ways (if I do not mistake
the copy), will not give place to the pride of so poor
a neighbour, but repress the same in his first budding,
a principal, or rather the only remedy, in such forward (I
will not say) presumptuous attempts. I pray God the un-
thankfulness in the mother work not like effects in the son.

Captain Oliver has been here with me this day, and
will bring hither the forty trained men on Monday next,
being very glad of this supply in this dangerous and des-
perate time. And although I took the last delay thereof, for
some argument of no long continuance of this service, yet I
am so strongly persuaded of the honourable necessity of
the cause (the rather upon the proclamation lately pub-
lished), as these new forces cannot remove me from my
former hope of a speedy discharge. I have been of late a
suitor to my Lord Treasurer and you for a supply of
powder, whereof in truth I shall have great need if the
service have any little continuance. Every harquebusier of
my servants and soldiers had only one flask full of powder
remaining at my coming to this castle, whereof some part
was spent the day of her Majesty's coronation. I have for
the thirty soldiers allowed unto me only thirty calivers
out of her Majesty's store, but I brought hither thirty
calivers of my own store, which serve to furnish my
household servants.

This letter cometh unto you in a packet sent to my
Lord Treasurer, by the which I am a suitor to his lord-
ship for a new supply of money, and also have put his
lordship in remembrance of my former suit of powder.

And thus [I leave to trouble you, committing you to
the mercy of the Highest.

From Fotheringay, the 9th of December, 1586.
Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 325

Autograph postscript in the original — Sir Drue Drury
hath seen your favourable remembrance of him in my
letters and doth yield unto you all due thanks.]

On the 23rd of November, Mary wrote to Mendoza, "J'ai
demande un pretre, je ne sais si je I'aurai; ils m'en ont offert
un eveque des leurs. Je I'ai refuse tout a plat."

The tirade at the close of Poulet's letter, meant no doubt for
Elizabeth's eye, reveals the writer's entire want of sympathy
with what is noble and elevated in character. He puts as the
climax of Mary's offences, that she makes no mention of desire
for life.

To Sir Francis Walsingham, December 15, 1586.
Sir, — Having signified to this Queen that I was com-
manded to restore unto her the money which I took from
her, and praying her to authorize some of her servants
for the receipt thereof, she returned answer that as I had
taken it from her, so she thought meet that I should
render it unto herself: whereupon repaying unto her,
accompanied with Sir Drue Drury and Mr. Darrell, I found
her in her bed troubled with some weakness in one of
[her] legs, but without grief as she said ; where delivering
unto her a particular note of the money which I received
of her, together with the defrayments which I had made
by her direction, she asked me for the two thousand
crowns taken from Curie's wife. I told her that she was
found seized of them, and that it was well known that
they had been given unto her for her preferment in
marriage. She said it was very true, but affirmed that
the money was delivered here only by way of pawn
or pledge, and that she had taken order with her officers
in France for the payment of the like sum there to the
use of Curie, and therefore prayed that order might be
so taken for her discharge, as she might not pay the said
sum both here and there. She said farther, tliat her
chirurgeon, named Gervais, had delivered three hundred

326 Sir Amias Poulet,

crowns or thereabouts to Nau upon hope to have received
the same again in France. And that one of her gentle-
women called Beauregard had delivered unto him six
hundred crowns for like purpose, as likewise that Nau
and Pasquier used her money at London for provision of
divers things for themselves and their fellows, whereof
yet no perfect account was made unto her. I answered
that it was likely the certainty of all these things would
appear in her papers or in Nau's papers, and that I knew
very well nothing would be concealed that might concern
any particular person in justice and equity. She prayed
that it might be considered, and therewith asked me what
answer I received to her other demands. I told her that
her papers should be sent her very shortly, and that her
servants should have free passport, to go into France or
Scotland at their pleasure. "Yea," saith she, "but I
cannot tell whether they shall have liberty to pass freely
with such things as they shall have of me." I said that
she had no cause to doubt of it. " I speak it," saith she,
" for my movables, because I intend to send a bed to my
son," saying that for such like causes she had prayed
liberty to make her will, and asked me if I had received
no answer therein. I told her no, and that it seemed to
require no answer, because it was things that depended
wholly of herself Then she asked me what answer I
had received touching her Priest. I told her it was.
intended that he should have access unto her shortly.
This was the substance of her speech at that time. And
so, after restitution made of the money. Sir Drue Drury
and I departed from her.

I sent two of my servants for the Priest remaining
with Mr. Thomas Gresley on Monday, and do look for their
return this evening, or at the farthest this next morning, by
the grace of God. This lady continueth in her former
wilful and wicked disposition. No outward sign of repen-
tance ; no submission, no acknowledging of her fault, no^

Keeper of Mary Queeji of Scots. 327

craving of pardon/ no mention of desire of life ; so as it
may be feared lest as she hath lived, so she will die, and I
pray God that this Popish ignorant Priest be not admitted
unto her by His just judgment to increase her punish-
ment, being very likely that he will rather confirm her in
her stubbornness towards her Majesty, and in all her other
errors in matter of religion, than seek to reclaim her to a
better disposition. As knoweth the, &c.

Poulet represents to Burghley that Mary's almoner being
restored, "it may be repented of in policy," if she be not put
to death at once; but three days later he wrote to Davison
that the "inconvenience is not so great in matter of policy as
in conscience," as du Preau was of too "weak and slender a
judgment " to be dangerous.

To i7iy Lord Treasurer, December 18, 1586.

My very good Lord, — Having long sithence received
express direction for the dismissing of the Scottish com-
pany now remaining at Chartley, within [the] five days
next following after the remove of this Queen from
thence towards this castle ; and to that purpose, required
at that time to know what she would give them in reward,
and towards the charge of their journey ; upon motion
made to her therein, I received her warrant under her sign
of certain sums of money to be delivered to every of them
for their travelling expences, referring them for their reward
to a farther consideration, which sums of money I left in
Mr. Richard Bagot's hands at my coming from Chartley,
to have been delivered by him to the Scottish train accord-
ing to their several portions at their departure from thence,
which I had appointed to be within five days after the

^ "On me menace si je ne demande pardon; mais je dis, Puisque jails
m'ont destinee a mourir, qu'ils passent outre en leur injustice, esperant que
Dieu m'en recompensera en I'autre monde." Mary to Mendo^a, Nov. 23, O.S.
(Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 459).

328 Sir Amias Poidet,

remove, according to the order prescribed unto me in that
behalf from above. And at that time did also deliver to
Mr. Bagot passports for every of them, for their travel
into France or Scotland according to their several desires,
wherein also I was authorized by direction from above.
These things being settled after this sort, in my way
hitherward I received express commandment to stay them
at Chartley until her Majesty's pleasure were further known.
And now your lordship's letters of the 17th, coming to
my hands this present day at five in the evening, I
forbear to discharge the family until I hear again from
your lordship, because you commanded me by your said
letters to send unto your lordship a list of their names with
the particular sums they are to have, that upon view
thereof, order may be taken to pay and then to dismiss
them, which are the very words of your lordship's conclusion
upon the end of that article, by the which it appeareth that
your lordship was not yet acquainted with the restitution
made the last week to this Queen of all her money
remaining in my hands by order from Mr. Secretary
Walsingham. And therefore sending unto your lordship
herewith the particular names of all the said family,
together with the several sums given them by this Queen,
I refer to your lordship's consideration if I shall acquaint
her with their departure, or make any new motion of a
further liberality towards them, and whether it shall be
permitted unto them to make their repair to London in
their way towards their several homes, which they desire
and was granted unto them by their former passports,
wherein I was also authorized from above.

Also I received direction by my last letter from Mr.
Secretary Walsingham, to send for this Queen's Priest
remaining with Mr. Gresley, and to permit him to have
access unto her, who arrived here the 17th of this present ;
so as if the execution of this lady be delayed, it may be
repented as well in policy as in Christianity that he hath

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 329

so speedy access unto her, and thereby shall have so long
continuance with her. Being desirous to be delivered of the
household at Chartley for the diminishing of her Majesty's
charges, and partly' for mine own better discharge, being
forced to commit that company to the order of one of my
servants, I despatch these letters with the greater speed
for your lordship's final resolution herein, intending very
shortly to render unto your lordship Mr. Darrell's particular
account of one month's charges in the state we live in here
at this present.
And thus, &c.

The new form that Poulet's wish for Mary's death here
assumes is almost comical. She is to be "removed," as the
cause of "her Majesty's charges." There have not been many
sovereigns to whom it could have been suggested, as a motive
for putting to death a captive Queen, that it would be a
good stroke of economy. What possible harm the restoration
of Mary's money could do, or why Poulet should wish it had
been delayed "until within a day or two before the execution,"
it is not easy to see. In truth, it is but another way of saying
that he wishes that the execution might come within a day or
two of the restoration of the money.

To my Lord Treasurer^ December 19, 1586.
My very good Lord, — Having answered some part of
your lordship's letters of the 17th by mine of yesterday,
sent from hence this day at five in the morning, for your
lordship's satisfaction in the residue I send inclosed herein
an estimate of one week's expence of this family in diet,
wages, and other incidents, wishing that her Majesty's
charges herein might be lessened, whereof I see no reason-
able mean, unless the cause were removed, which bringeth
forth these chargeable effects, and without the special
mercy of God may breed most lamentable and dangerous
•effects. As knoweth, &c.

330 Sir Amias Poiclet,

For the little interest I have in this Scottish action by
reason of my charge in this castle, I trust it may be lawful
for me to wish without offence that this lady's money had
not been restored unto her until within a day or two before
the execution, and yet I doubt not to keep her fasting
from employing the same to any indirect or dangerous
uses.

There were two letters that about this time Mary addressed
to Elizabeth. The first has no date, but is attributed to
November It asks of Elizabeth three favours, Christian burial,
a public execution, that no false rumours may be spread abroad
about the faith in which she would die, and free passage for her
servants, ^together with undisturbed possession of her gifts to
them. The second, dated December 19, is longer, and as
there is nothing in the first letter that is not contained in the
second, and as Poulet's correspondence gives no trace of more
than one letter written at this time by Mary to Elizabeth, it
seems probable that the letter without date is a draft of that
dated December 19.^

Acting on Walsingham's instructions, Poulet, through the long
interview he here describes, was trying by insulting speeches to
exasperate Mary into rejoinders which might compromise her.
Iterating the instructions supplied to Lord Buckhurst, he tells
Mary that she had been tried by a commission composed of the
nobility as a great favour, that Elizabeth had long preserved her
life against the wish of the Scottish people and the desire of the
English Parliament, and that as a pretender to the crown she
had been well treated. Poulet reproaches her with refusing to
give up her claim to the crown, save on condition that she
should be acknowledged heir presumptive, with fomenting rebel-
lion, &c. He speaks of " dangerous practices," but when Mary
rejoins that she was not accountable for what others have done,

^ Prince LabanofFhas printed the letter of December 19 (torn, vi., p. 474),
from a "minute avec corrections de M. de Chateauneuf, " collated with the
copy in the Record Office (vol. xx., n. 40). The letter having no date is
taken from La vrayc Histoire de Marie Siuart, by N. Caussin, published at
Paris in 1624.

Keeper of Mary Qttee7i of Scots. 331

Poulet, instead of bringing home her share in Babington's con-
spiracy to her at once, reproaches her with keeping Morgan in
her service. Had he not been, to say the least, doubtful of her
guilt, he would have tried to wring some acknowledgment from
her, if only to counteract the effect of her letter to Elizabeth.
Lord Buckhurst, who probably did believe Mary guilty, had told
her to her face, in Poulet's presence, that she " should die for the
Queen's murder." ^ Why too does Poulet never mention the
reputed crime in his letters?

To Mr. Secretary Davison, December 21, 1586.

Sir, — Although this Queen hath pretended with many-
shows of constancy neither to fear death, nor to desire
life, ydc being advertised in my last conference with her
(as I doubt not you have heard by my letters of the i6th
to Mr. Secretary Walsingham), that her Priest should have
access unto her very shortly, whereof she will in reason
make none other construction than that he was admitted
for none other purpose then to satisfy her desire in her last
tragical end, it seemeth by that which followeth that she
is neither so mortified, as she is willing to die, neither doth
think her case so desperate, but that some shift may be
found to prolong her days.

Upon this opinion, if I be not deceived, she prayed
me to repair unto her, which I did in the company
of Sir Drue Drury, the 17th of this present, where she
declared unto me that in time past she had been desirous
to write to her Majesty, but sithence the advertisement
of her conviction she prepared herself for another world.
Nevertheless, she was willing, not for desire of life, but
for the discharge of the rest of her conscience, and for
her last farewell, — these were her very words, — to send
a memorial of something concerning herself after her
departure out of this world, and to remove from her
Majesty all suspicion of danger in receiving the paper

^ LabanofF, torn, vi., p. 467.

332 Sir Amias Poulet,

which should come from her, she said herself would take
the assay thereof, and deliver it to me with her own hands.
I asked her if she would not be also content to seal and
inclose it in my presence, which she yielded unto, praying
me to promise that it might be safely delivered ; which
being granted, she desired my further promise to procure
certificate from above that the same was so delivered there.
Sir Drue Drury told her that it was in our power to send
but was beyond our power, and above us, to promise any
certificate. She said she trusted that consideration would
be had of her after her decease, as one proceeding from
Henry VI L, and according to the religion wherein she
was born, and which she had professed all the days of her
life, concluding that when her memorial was ready she
would send for us, which we looked should have been the
next day, but she did not send for us till yesterday,
imputing the delay thereof to her lame hand, which would
not permit her to write more speedily.

She took it in ill part that I had asked if she would
be content to make up and seal her letter in my presence,
which bewrayed my hard opinion of her. I told her that
herself having proffered beside my expectation to take
my first assay of the utter [outer] part of the letter,
I was not ignorant that there might be as great danger
within the letter as without, and therefore could not be
blamed to concur with her in this jealousy, affirming that
if herself had not moved it. Sir Drue Drury and I should
not have thought it. Then [she] said she had moved
it upon this occasion that having [been] accustomed in
time past to send sometimes some tokens to her Majesty,
and at one time sent certain clothes (so she called them),
one standing by advised her Highness to be caused to
be tried before she did touch them, which she said, she
had sithence observed and had taken order with Nau at
his last being at the Court to do the like to a furred
counterpane which she sent at that time. I answered that

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 333.

I thought her Majesty was at that time far from any
suspicion of such foul dealing, and wished that no just
cause had been sithence given, and then things had not
been as they now are. "Things are as they are," saith
she, "and I stand convicted and do not know how many
hours I shall live." " Madam," quoth I, " you shall live as
many hours as shall please God, but it may be said truly
that you have been convicted in very honourable and
favourable sort." " With what favour .? " said she. I said
her cause had been examined by a number of the most
ancient nobility of the realm, where, by our laws she
should have been tried by twelve men as a common
person. "Your noblemen," saith she, "must be tried by
their peers." I told her all strangers of what quality soever
were in matter of crime tryable in the territories of other
Princes by the laws of that realm. " You have your laws,"
saith she, " but other Princes will think of it as they see
cause, and my son is now no more a child, but is come to-
the state of a man, and he will think of these things."
Sir Drue told her that ingratitude was odious in all
persons, but especially in great personages, and that it
would not be denied but that her Majesty had deserved
greatly both of her and her son. " What shall I acknow-
ledge.'*" saith she. " I am free from the world, and therefore
am not afraid to speak ; I have had the favour to have
been kept here prisoner many years against my will."
" Madam," quoth I, " this was a great favour, and without
this favour you had not lived to see these days." " How so?"
saith she. I said her own subjects pursued her, and were
the stronger in her own country. " That is true," quoth
she, " because Mildmay (I think she did mean Sir Nicholas
Throckmorton) persuaded me to discharge my forces, and
then caused mine enemies to burn my friends' castles and
houses." I told her, however, it was great personages of
that country had made earnest suit to her Majesty to have
her delivered unto them, which her Highness refused to

334 ^^^ Ainias Poulet,

their great dislike ; and Sir Drue added that her Majesty-
had saved her Hfe seventeen years, and whereas she called
her Highness by name of sister, she had in [truth] dealt
most graciously with her in seeking to preserve both her
life and her honour. "Wherein?" said she. He answered,
in the commission of her causes sitten upon at York, which
was dissolved at the instance of her friends to save her
honour. " No," quoth she, " the cause of the dissolving of
the commission was, that my friends could not be heard to
inform against mine accusers." I told her that the Bishop
of Ross had written that it was dismissed in her favour,
and that his book was extant, and this was but one of many
favours which her Majesty had extended unto her. " It is
a great favour," said she, *' to have kept me here many
years against my will." I said it was for her safety, and
that her countrymen sought her destruction, and to that
end required to have her delivered unto them, as was
before said. " Nay," saith she, " then I will speak. I am
not afraid. It was determined here I should not depart,
and my Lord Treasurer, when I was demanded by my
subjects, wrote in a packet to the Earl Murray (which was
intercepted and brought to me) that the devil was tied fast
in a chain, and that they could not keep her, but she should
be kept safely here." Sir Drue Drury told her that the
Earl Murray was a very honourable gentleman as ever he
knew bred in that country. She said the Earl Murray was
one of the worst men of the world ; a common adulterer,
a spoiler, and a murderer. Sir Drue affirmed that he
remembered to have seen him here six weeks, and that he
governed himself very gravely, and carried the reputation
of a noble gentleman, neither did he ever hear him evil
spoken of till then. '* Yea," quoth she, " my rebels are
honest men here, and have been maintained by the Queen."
I told her she did forget herself greatly to charge her
Majesty with so foul a fault, which she should be never
able to prove. " I pray you," saith she, "what did she with

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 335

the French at Newhaven?" "It appeared," quoth I, "that
you have conceived so hardly of the Queen my mistress,
that you interpret all her actions to the worst without
knowing the truth of the cause," but I could assure her that
her Majesty had just cause, as well in respect of Calais, as
other ways, to do as she did, and to have done more if it
had so pleased her. I told her this was great unthankful-
ness after so many great favours, whereof she would in no
ways acknowledge the least. I told her that her Majesty
had saved her life with the discontentment of her best
subjects in open Parliament, who craved justice against her
for matter of civil rebellion. She said she knew no such
matter, but knew very well that Sir Francis Walsingham,
after his last being in Scotland, had said that she should
rue his entertainment there. I told her she had not rued
it, but had been more honourably entreated then was ever
any competitor in any other realm, whereof some have
been kept close prisoners, others had been disfigured and
maimed, and some others had been murdered. " I was
no competitor," said she. " I required to be reputed as next
to the Crown." "Nay, madam," quoth I, "you went farther,
in giving the arms and style of England, as though our
Queen had been an usurper." She said her husband and
kinsmen had done what they thought good : she had
nothing to do with it. " Why, then," quoth I, " would you
not renounce your pretended claim herein, but with con-
dition that you might be authorized next heir apparent to
the Crown." Whereunto she answered that she had made
great proffers at sundry times which could never be
accepted. I told her that it had been heretofore proved
unto her, that in the very instant of all her treaties and
offers of friendship, some dangerous [practices were dis-
covered. " You must think," saith she, "that I have some
friends, and if they have done anything, what is that to
me } " " Madam," quoth I, " it was somewhat to you (and
for your own sake I would you had forborne it), that after

33^ ^i^ Amias Potilet,

advertisement given unto you of Morgan's devilish practice
to have killed a sacred Queen, you would yet entertain
him as your servant." She answered that she might do it
with as good right, as that her Majesty entertained her
rebels. Sir Drue told her the speech was very hard, and
that the case differed greatly.

She fell from these discourses, and returned to the
matter of her conviction, saying that she was con-
demned partially, and that the Commissioners knew,
she being convicted, her son could have no right,
and that her Majesty could have no children, whereby
they might set up whom they liked. I told her that
she did forget herself greatly to charge the nobility of
the realm with two so foul and horrible faults, as first to
take her life from her by partiality, and then to bestow
the Crown where they liked. She said all was one to her,
and that for her part she thanked God that she should die
without regret (I use her own words) of anything that she
had done. I prayed her to be sorry, at least for the great
wrong she had done to the Queen my mistress. "Let
others answer for themselves," saith she ; " I have nothing
to do with it;" and then asked me if I had remembered her
money matters, mentioned in her last conference with me,
which I said was not forgotten. After this long discourse
thus ended she took her letter sent herewith, which, not-
withstanding her pretended lameness in her hand, could
make up, seal and superscribe, without the help of any
other, or outward show of ache or pain.^ She had borne
Sir Drue and me in hand (as is before remembered)
that she would only send a memorial, but it appeared
by the view of the paper, that this memorial was become
a just letter. Sir Drue Drury and I might easily perceive
that this lady doth not cease to carry a revenging mind

^ Mary wrote to the Duke of Guise, "Ceste main droite, depuis ceste
derniere venue, m'est si enflee et fait tant de mal qu' a peine puis-je tenir la
plume, ny m'appaster " (Labanoff, tom. vi., p. 439).

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 337

towards her Majesty, her nobility and all her faithful
subjects.

Thus you see what hath passed between this Queen and
us, wherein to obey your direction I have not failed to do all
that I might, to provoke her to utter her stomach, although
I am persuaded her malice is so rooted as her Majesty
shall make little profit thereof, and shall serve to none
other purpose but to increase her sin, whereof she hath
enough otherways, as God best knoweth. You may believe
that she hath been urged to all that she hath said, as other-
ways she would have used her late accustomed silence, and
indeed her speeches have been very quiet sithence the
taking away of her cloth of Estate. I have already by my
late letters yielded to her Majesty, as I was most bound, my
most humble and dutiful thanks for her intended liberality
towards my servants and soldiers, and now it may please
you to do the like to her Highness in my name for the
performance thereof signified by your last letters, beseech-
ing God to give His grace both to master and men to
acknowledge this undeserved bounty with all dutiful thank-
fulness, and to live and die her Majesty's true and faithful
subjects.

And thus, &c.

I had forgotten to signify unto you that this Queen,
taking her letter in both her hands, and holding the leaves
open, did wipe her face with every part of both the leaves ;
which no doubt she did in despite that I had told her
there might be as great danger within the letter as without.

Clearly this second letter is not intended for Elizabeth's
eye. It is a very important letter, showing that Poulet even
took upon himself to delay the despatch of Mary's letter, for
fear lest Elizabeth might be moved by it, and so recall any
warrant issued for the execution. It may have been the
knowledge of this cruelty and injustice on Poulet's par
W

33^ Sir Amias Potilet,

that encouraged Walsingham to think him capable of a.
still more grievous crime. Poulet's motive for this delay
he himself explains. He hoped that the warrant would be
signed before the Court went to Greenwich the week before
Christmas for the usual recess. During the recess the warrant
would certainly not be signed. He kept the letter till it was
too late to interfere with what might be done before the holiday
began. In the subsequent letters, he expresses the greatest
relief that no harm had happened to Elizabeth that Christmas,
wishing it to be understood that to have spared Mary's life at
such a time was a singular peril to Elizabeth.

Ad eii7idem eodejn die.
Sir, — We were not a little perplexed with this motion
of writing, and indeed did forbear to deliver our answer
until we had considered of the matter privately between
ourselves, wherein as we feared greatly to give any the
least cause of delay of the due examination [execution]
of the long desired justice, so having received lately her
Majesty's express commandment to make offer to this
lady to convey her letters, if she were disposed to write,^
although she did not accept thereof at that time, yet
doubting lest our refusal to yield unto it at this present
might be offensive to her Highness, and perchance breed
some slander to the cause, we condescended to her desire,
beseeching God so to direct the sequel thereof, as the
same may redound to His glory and her Majesty's safety,
whereof there were no doubt, if we were as willing to take
the advantage of great and urgent occasions to further this
expected sacrifice, acceptable to God and man, as we are
easily diverted from it upon every sinister suggestion. All
good and faithful subjects will be always careful of her
Majesty's safety, but especially in the time of Christmas
now at hand, which giveth occasion of many dangerous
assemblies. We are content to be found faulty of this
pardonable jealousy. Being not able to do any good in

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 339

this service, we should be very sorry and should think
ourselves more than unhappy if anything should come
from us that might do hurt. And, therefore, to be plain
with you as with our very friend, we have used all con-
venient means to delay the receiving of this, to the end it
might arrive at the Court too late to stay any action
touching this lady that might be intended before Christmas,
being strongly persuaded that the delay of the execution
until after Christmas will give great cause to suspect an
everlasting delay, either through her Majesty's too great
inclination to mercy, or by reason of the danger of her
person in the Christmas, a time subject to dangerous
assemblies.

And thus, &c.

Post-scriptum mserenduni in prcecedenti epistola — I am
very sorry that your letters of the 14th, received the 20th
at nine in the morning, came not to my hands in time
convenient for the stay of the Priest, who arriving here
the 17th was immediately admitted to the presence of his
mistress, according to the direction which I had before
received in that behalf The inconvenience whereof is not
so great in matter of policy as in conscience, because,
indeed, the Priest is [of] weak and slender judgment and
can give neither counsel nor advice worthy of a young
scholar. I feared lest he might have learned some bad
news during his abode with Mr. Gresley, but having groped
him the best I can, do find that he is a mere stranger
almost to those things which are common to all men,
which I impute to his want of our language, and to
Mr. Gresley's absence from his house now many weeks
by reason of his being at London, so that he hath had
little other company then of his keeper. I might have
doubted lest he had dissembled his knowledge in the
occurrents of this time, but having searched his papers, do
find two leaves of paper craftily (as he thought) inserted
w 2

340 Sir Amias Potilet,

in the midst of his philosophical exercises, wherein he
hath set down a daily note of all that he heard spoken
unto him, and likewise of his answers in all this time of
his absence, the same being ridiculous as do bewray his
great indiscretion. I would have been glad, for some
Christian respects, that he should have had no access to
this Queen until the night before her execution, and indeed
having received direction to send for him, I took it for a
strong argument that the time of her execution was near
at hand.

The bounty mentioned in the following letter is the favour
for which Poulet thanks Elizabeth in the letter, a fragment of
which begins the first page of this letter-book. It is worthy
of remark, how insignificant the two letters are, of which alone,
amongst all the letters of this letter-book, the originals remain
amongst the Public Records.

To Sir Francis Walsinghajn, January 2, 1586.'^
Sir, — Whereas by your letters of the 26th of the last,
you signified unto me that you had received a Privy Seal
for a 100/., bestowed by her Majesty in reward upon the
soldiers serving in this castle, and that you reserve the
same in your hands to be delivered to any such as I would
appoint to take order for the receiving and conveying of
it hither, it may please you to deliver the said Privy
Seal to this bearer, my servant Thomas Knight, who is
appointed to take order with one of his fellows remaining
always in London to receive and convey the said money
hither. I send the said bearer and three of his fellows to
London at this present for none other cause than to bring
hither 500/. in money for the use of her Majesty's house-
hold here. This country yields no means to receive it by
exchange.

This lady fmdeth fault that her papers of account for
this last year, which include all former years, are kept from

^ Vol. xxi., n. I.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 341

her, as indeed I can say they are not sent, because I
perused those which were sent before they were dehvered,
and the same may also appear by this copy inclosed of
Nau's letters sent with the said papers. I have remaining
in my hands some books of accounts found in Nau's
chamber at the time of the search, and doubting lest
they might concern these causes, I have without this
Queen's privity perused them, and do find that they
contain accounts of former years. I wish unto you
all good means to increase your health, but it seemeth
that the cold season of the year had need of hot and
earnest solicitors. The delay is fearful, God send it a
good and happy issue.
And thus, &c.

[Postscript in the original — I thank you most heartily
for Mr. Davison's letters, which I return unto you inclosed
herein. Sir Drue Drury prayeth to be recommended to
your good favour.]

Poulet is becoming uneasy at the long and unusual silence
of Sir Francis Walsingham. The fact was that Walsingham had
retired from the Court in dudgeon. The cause was no doubt,
in the main, jealousy of Sir Christopher Hatton, and mortification
that Elizabeth would not grant him Babington's forfeited estates,^
yet probably vexation that his advice respecting Mary's speedy
execution was not followed may have had some part in his resolu-
tion to withdraw from Elizabeth's presence. " I humbly beseech
your lordship," he wrote- to Burghley from Barnes, December 16,
" to pardon me in that I did not take my leave of you before
my departure from the Court Her Majesty's unkind dealing
with me hath so wounded me as I could take no comfort to
stay there. And yet if I saw any hope that my continuance
there might either breed any good to the Church, or further-
ance to the service of her Majesty or of the realm, the regard

^ Sir Philip Sydney had died bankrupt, and Walsingham was surety for
his debts. Babington's estates were given to Sir Walter Raleigh.
^ Domestic^ Elizabeth^ vol. cxcv., n. 64. Holograph.

342 Sir Amias Poiclety

of my particular should not cause me to withdraw myself.
But seeing the declining state we are coming into, and
that men of best descent are least esteemed, I hold them
happiest in this government that may be rather lookers-on
than actors. I humbly therefore beseech your lordship, that
as I do acknowledge myself infinitely bound unto you for your
most honourable and friendly furtherance yielded unto me in
my suit (which I will never forget), so you will be pleased to
increase my bond towards you by forbearing any further to
press her Majesty in the same, which I am fully resolved to
give over. I do assure your lordship, whatsoever conceit her
Majesty maketh either of me or of my [service], I would not
spend so long time as I have done in that place, subject to so
infinite toil and discomfort, not to be made Duke of Lancaster.
My hope is, howsoever I am dealt withal by an earthly
P[rince], I shall never lack the comfort of the P[rince] of
Princes, to whose protection I commit your lordship, most
humbly taking my leave."

And on the 5th of January he wrote^ again, "I find your
service in Court the more discomfortable for lack of resolution,
and if I do not mistake it, her Majesty's great causes, both at
home and abroad, are come to that period as they require present
resolution. There are, as I am informed, most dangerous fac-
tions sprung up amongst the better sort of those of the United
Provinces. The C[ount] Maurice, the C[ount] Hollocke, the
C[ount] of Nuenor,2 and the C[ount] William of Nassau are
grow^n discontented with the English Government. And if the
treaty of peace shall not be very warily handled, and some
course taken for the contenting of those five noble persons,
there will be a peace made without her Majesty, both to her
peril and her dishonour. To serve all things upright, there is
but one way (next after God), and that is, that her Majesty will
be persuaded to preserve her safety before her treasure. The
diseases of her Estate will not be cured with slight remedies,
nor can long endure delay. I pray God, therefore, direct her
Majesty's heart to do that which may be for her safety.

^ Domestic, Elizabeth, vol. cxcvii., n. 5. Holograph.
' Count Hohenlohe, and Count Nieuwenar, Stadtholder of Guelderland.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 343

" For my own particular, I most humbly thank your lordship
for your honourable care had of me therein. My stay in sending
unto your lordship hath proceeded through the sickness of my
servant Mills, in whose place I mean to substitute some other.
If it were not for my promise made unto your lordship, whose
advice I will both honour and follow, I would quite give over
my suit. The grief of my mind hath thrown me into a dangerous
disease, as by Mr. Dr. Bayly your lordship may understand."

To my Lord Treasurer , Janiiary g, 1586.

My very good Lord, — The provision of wines for this
household will be utterly spent within eighteen days at
the farthest. And as I would not supply the same in this
uncertain time without direction from your lordship, so
being given to understand that the price of wine at this
present is very excessive, as likewise that none are yet
-arrived in the ports of these parts, it may please your
lordship to consider, if being resolved that a new pro-
vision of wine shall be made, it shall not be meet to
have the same from London, whereby your lordship's
.good mean they may be taken at the Queen's price,
whereby the long carriage,^ and herein it may please your
lordship to signify your pleasure unto me at your con-
venient leisure.

Although Mr. Cruse will never be weary of any guest
committed unto him for her Majesty's service, yet I
thought good to put your lordship in remembrance of
Mrs. Bridget Digby, who remaineth yet under his keeping.
I did forget in the late advertisement of the weekly
'expenses of this household, to make mention of the
charges of the household at Chartley, which, although I
did omit of forgetfulness, wherein I humbly pray your
lordship's pardon, yet the truth is that the charges of
that family stand upon a reckoning between Mr. Bagot
and me, so as I am yet ignorant of what the same
.amounteth unto.

^ A line has been missed here.

344 -^^'^ Amias Potilet,

The poor prisoners of this castle, I mean Sir Drue
Drury and myself, begin to faint for want of some comfort-
able matter from above, wherein we should find ourselves
much refreshed, if we might hear any the least advertise-
ment of the present state of things, having received no
letter from the Court sithence the 20th of last month ;
and therefore your lordship may [do] a deed of charity to
bestow your alms of some trifling occurrents upon your
poor languishing friends at Fotheringay. The truth is that
I received this last week only five or six lines from Sir
Francis Walsingham, making mention of the sending there-
with of some papers of accounts for this Queen. Sir Drue
and I cannot receive more comfortable matter from your
lordship than to hear that her Majesty has passed this
Christmas in good health. We beseech God long to
preserve her Majesty, and to grant your lordship a happy
New Year, and to live many years in all health and felicity.

From, &c.

Waad wrote ^ thus to Davison respecting Mary's books of
accounts. "It may please your Honour, — Mr. Secretary Walsing-
ham did let me understand her Majesty's pleasure for the seeking
out the accounts of the Scottish Queen, which were amongst her
writings : and because the coffers were left, as I take it, in her
Majesty's gallery at Windsor, there is a messenger sent thither
for to bring them to the Court by cart with a man of my own,
that assisted in the conveying of the same hither, and knoweth
•the chests. If they should happen to be rendered to any other
room, which it may please your honour to let her Majesty
understand. This day I have given my attendance here on
the lords, otherwise would have waited on your honour. Thus
leaving further to trouble [you], I rest most entirely at your
commandment.

"From Cecil House, the 30th of November, 1586.
"Your Honour's in all duty and sincerity of good will,

"W. Waad.'»
^ Vol. XX., n. 34. Holograph.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 345

And on the same subject Walsingham wrote to Phelippes,
"After my hearty commendations, her Majesty, understanding
that the coffer with the Queen of Scots' accounts are not yet
sent down, is displeased therewith, and imputeth a fault of
negligence in me. I pray you therefore to let me understand
what hath been the cause of the stay thereof, for if I had
known that you could not convey the same, I would have
devised some means that it should have been sent before this
time.

"And so I commit you to God. From Barnelmes the
1 8th of December, 1586.

" Your very loving friend,

" Fra. Walsingham.

'-*■ Autograph postscript — Her Majesty doth find some fault
that the original letters intercepted be not brought in unto her
with the extract you promised to make."

To Sir Francis Walsingham, eodem die Uan. 9].
Sir, — This Queen resteth not as yet satisfied for her
books and papers of accounts, sending unto me after the
delivery of those received with your letters of the 4th of
this present, her master of household and physician, with a
new request in that behalf, wherein she desireth that all
other such books and papers which concern the estate of
her payments of pensions and wages, with the accounts of
her several officers in France, may be sent unto her, as
likewise all such notes made by Nau of his receipts and
payments, that he left behind him at Chartley at the time
of his apprehension, saying that she cannot be satisfied
with the new accounts made by him sithence his imprison-
ment ; and further saith that all things are not clear betwixt
her and Pasquier, whom she allegeth to have employed her
money remaining in the French Ambassador's hands to the
use of himself and his followers here for their necessaries,
praying that his reckonings left by him at Chartley may be
sent unto her, and that Cordaillot, the French Ambassador's

34^ -^^'^ Amias Poulet,

secretary, who disbursed this money, may make a like
reckoning of all employments made by him by direction
from Nau and Pasquier. She also requireth Nau's answer
touching the money supposed to have been committed to
his custody by her gentlewoman, Beauregard, and her
surgeon. And whereas I wrote unto you in my last letters
that I had remaining in my hands some books of accounts
left by Mr. Waad in Nau's chamber at Chartley, and
doubting lest they might concern these causes, had, without
this Queen's privity, perused them and did find that they
contained accounts of former years, I have thought good to
put you in remembrance of the said books, which I wish to
be delivered unto her, to avoid further cavillation, where-
unto this Queen is greatly inclined, and indeed they cannot
serve to any other use. Thus for my better discharge I
have delivered unto you the message which I received
from this lady.

And now, referring these things to your better con-
sideration, I commit you, &c.

Poulet, who is so precise that he will not give up to Mary
her old accounts without special warrant, ventures, entirely on
his own responsibility, first to keep back his prisoner's letter
of December 19th, and afterwards to prevent her writing again,
in the face of Elizabeth's orders to the contrary. It points to
his dread lest her assertions of innocence should rouse Elizabeth's
suspicions, an uneasiness which Walsingham's silence must have
greatly strengthened.

To Mr. Secretary Davison^ January 10, 1586.
Sir, — Although this Queen, my charge, hath received
so many messages of death as might suffice to work true
mortification in any good Christian soul, yet her froward
flesh and crooked affection hath given sundry evident testi-
monies of want of charity, and many other wilful rebellions,
notwithstanding that in many works [weeks] she expected

Keeper of Mary Queeii of Scots. 347

from day to day the fatal stroke of her bloody deserts.
And now it seemeth that still long delay of justice hath
stirred her to hope of further mercy. Upon this ground, if
I be not deceived, although with pretence to move me for
some papers of accounts, she sends Melvin and her physi-
cian unto me, who after some talk touching the said papers,
asked me in the name of their mistress if I had received any
answer of her letter to her Majesty, which being denied,
they said she was willing to write again, and when her
letter was ready would send unto me to see the inclosing
and sealing of it. Whereunto I answered that I would say
nothing to that motion, forbearing either flatly to deny her,
or to promise to convey her letters ; to be plain with you,
being so well acquainted with her cunning, I would not
wish that she might be permitted to write again to her
Majesty, being assured that she will write nothing that
shall be profitable to her Majesty's person or realm, and it
may be feared lest her flattering and treacherous promises
may incline the merciful disposition of our Queen to give
better ear unto them than shall stand with her surety or
with the quiet of her State, and therefore I thought it not
agreeable with my duty to agree to the sending of a second
letter with[out] special warrant, wherein it may please you
to give your direction, having forborne to say to the
messengers that I would write to this purpose, which shall
be mine answer when she sendeth for me, whereby this
meantime may not hinder any good resolution that may
come above.
And thus, &c.

Poulet manifests his bitter spirit against poor Mary by taking
from her Melville, the faithful master of her household, and
du Preau, her chaplain. It is singular that he should have
selected the two men to whose inoffensiveness he has himself
testified. ^ He has spoken strongly in Melville's praise, saying
that a strong hostility existed between him and Nau;i and that
■^ Supray p. 251.

34^ ^^^ 'Amias Poulet,

no harm could possibly be worked by du Preau he has not
long since written to Davison. ^ But Mary was attached to
them, and therefore they are withdrawn from her. IMelville
she was allowed to see again on the morning of her execution,
but not so the Priest, though she had earnestly begged for
this last religious consolation. The sudden withdrawal of the
Priest was an unexpected blow. To Elizabeth she had written,
"L'on m'a diet que ne vouUiez en rien forcer ma conscience
ny ma religion, et que mesme vous m'avez concede ung prebstre."
On the eve of her death Mary wrote du Preau a letter- which
begins, "J'ay este combatue ce jour de ma religion et de
recevoir la consolation des heretiques." She calls her physician
to witness her fidelity to her faith. "J'ay requis de vous avoir
pour faire ma confession et recevoir mon sacrement, ce qui
m'a este' cmellement refuse." She begs him to write instructions
how she should spend her last night on earth, and she says that
if she perceives him in the crowd in the morning, she will
kneel before them all for his benediction. At two o'clock in
the morning of the last day of her Hfe she wrote ^ to Henry III.,
King of France, " La religion Catholique et le mantien du droit
que Dieu m'a donne a ceste couronne sont les deux points de
ma condemnation, et toutesfois ils ne me veulent permettre de
dire que c'est pour la religion Catholique que je meurs, mais
pour la crainte du change de la leur : et pour preuve, ils m'ont
oste mon aumosnier, lequel, bien qu'il soit en la maison, je
n'ay peu obtenir qu'il me vint confesser ny communier a ma
mort ; mais m'ont fait grande instance de recevoir la consolation
et doctrine de leur ministre amene pour ce fait. Ce porteur
et sa compagnie, la pluspart de vos sujets, vous tesmoigneront
mes deportemens en ce mien acte dernier."

Not only would Poulet deprive Mary of Melville and
du Preau, but, writing too from his own sick bed, he betrays
his wish to remove the medical attendants also, though his
prisoner was in chronic ill health.

Drury's unwillingness to take Poulet's place as Mary's interro-
gator, irritating her that "in her heat" she might say something
offensive to Elizabeth, is what we might have expected from
1 Supra ^ p. 339. ^ Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 483. ^ Ibid.^ p. 492.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 349

him, whom Mary describes^ as *'ce Droury, plus modeste et
gratieux de beaucoup."

To Mr. Secretary Davison^ January 21, 1586.
Sir, — You write very truly that I thought myself utterly
forgotten at the Court, in that I had not heard from thence
in one whole month, saving that I received in that mean-
time four or five lines from Mr. Secretary Walsingham,
which concerned only this lady's papers of accounts, and
therefore you may believe that your letters of the i8th
of this present were very welcome unto me, and I thank
you most heartily for them, as likewise for your friendly
advertisement of the state of things above at this present,
whereby, although I can receive no great comfort by reason
of the dangerous and most pitiful delay in [the] cause of
all causes, and especially in these declining days, wherein
Satan with his complices goeth roaring up and down
with open throat, seeking by most horrible and execrable
complots, as well domestical as foreign, how to devour our
most gracious Queen, whom God in mercy long preserve ;
yet it [is] some satisfaction to hear somewhat, and that
there remaineth yet some hope that God in His wisdom
hath decreed a day, which can neither be prevented nor
disappointed. I do not marvel to hear that this lady's
letters to her Majesty effected no good thing,^ which agreeth
with my former opinion therein, upon a full resolution in
my simple conceit that she might do hurt by her writing,
but good she would do none to Prince or State, and yet I
have been blamed many times that I have not urged her
to write, when I have had no commission for it She

^ Labanoff, torn, vi., p. 469.

^ This refers to the impression made upon Elizabeth by Mary's letter
dated December 19th, which we have seen Poulet so reluctant to forward.
Leicester, writing to Walsingham on the 22nd, mentions it in these terms :
* ' There is a letter from the Scottish Queen that hath wrought tears, but I
trust shall do no further herein ; albeit the delay is too dangerous" {Harl. MSS.,
285 ; Ellis, vol. iii., p. 22).

350 Sir Amias Poulet,

delighteth in blood, mischief and slander, and other fruits
come not from her.

Whereas her Majesty noteth want in me for per-
mitting the whole retinue of this lady to resort as freely
to her now as they were wont to do before her con-
demnation, which she would have somewhat restrained,
referring the same to my discretion, I must confess to you
that I am not sorry for this commission, having extended
the same to the removing of Melvin and the Priest, who are
the only two persons which this lady may best forbear,
and have been esteemed unnecessary in former time, but
have been restored to her lately sithence her coming to
this castle by direction from above, and therefore she may
spare them without any hindrance to her necessary service,
as also they are lodged within the court adjoining to the
inner gate, as they may take their meat and drink in this
lady's pantry without resort to the hall. The physician,
apothecary, and the surgeon have been so often allowed to
this lady by her Majesty's order, that I may not take upon
me to displace them without special warrant, referring the
same to your better consideration. Those which remain
take their meat and drink all together in a room at the
foot of the stairs leading to this lady's dining-chamber,
from whence they may have access to their mistress if they
are disposed, because they are out of the view of my
soldiers, which I have endured to avoid their eating and
drinking in the hall among my servants and soldiers, having
no other place in this castle for their assembly. Although
divers of this number cannot be divided to have access to
their mistress for her necessary service, yet for my better
discharge, and to the end you may remove any other such
as you think good from making their repair to their
mistress, I have thought convenient to send unto you
here inclosed a note of their particular names and functions.

You write that her Majesty wisheth I should resort often
to this lady and give her cause to discover herself and her

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 351

aflfections as much as I can, because in her heat she is wont
to speak ex abundantia cordis, wherein if I have failed
during the little time of my health, after mine access unto
[her] signified by my former letters, it may please you to
excuse me, the same proceeding of no other cause than
that I looked daily to hear from you whether her Highness
continued in that disposition or no. And now lately, by
the space of fourteen days, I have been very sick of my
gout and have not departed from my bed, where I remain
as yet, not without' great grief, I assure you, and do not
look to be recovered in few days. These are the fruits of
my long abode in Chartley House, a place environed with
naughty and corrupt waters, which have increased so much
my disease as I shall feel of it during the residue of my
short days. Being forbidden to repair to this lady by
reason of my sickness, and having acquainted Sir Drue
Drury with your letters, I have moved him to supply my
place, who prayeth to be excused herein, alleging many
reasons for his defence, whereof he supposeth this not to be
the least, that being a mere stranger to all her stratagems,
and not thoroughly acquainted with former proceedings,
he might perchance not urge her so aptly as might be
expected. He doth not doubt but that your good friend-
ship (although by nothing else than by your silence) will
suffice to satisfy her Majesty in this trifle until God shall
restore me to better health. And yet if it shall be thought
meet to use his service herein, he will not fail to perform
her Majesty's direction. I cannot express unto you how
much I think myself bound to her Majesty in sending this
honest gentleman hither unto me, whose company hath
been no less com [fort unto] me in this late extremity of
sickness and sorrow, t[han] needful for her Majesty's
service, whereof he ta[keth the] whole burthen during
mine infirmity, and doth [bear it] with will and courage.
I trust the wicked conspiracies lately revealed wi[ll at
the] last open her Majesty's eyes, and incline her heart to

352 Sir Amias Poulet,

tak[e care] of the Church of God, herself, and her crown
and [realm, the] which are all assailed in her royal person.
Who is so [thoughtless], so void of reason, or so careless of
his duty [as not to sigh] and groan under this fearful delay,
and [we may fear] lest the old proverb be verified to our
utter [destruction, which] saith, "That so often goeth the
pot to the water, t[ill at last it] comes home broken," and
especially when God is tem[pted by over]security. You
and others placed about her Majesty's [person], do your
best endeavours, I doubt not, to prevent these [dangers] by
your actions, and I, a poor cripple, will assist you wi[th my]
hearty and humble prayers, and hereunto Sir Drue Drur[y,
my] yoke-fellow, saith, Amen.
And thus, &c.

This letter to Sir John Perrot ends with one of those quaint
sentences which served, according to the fashion of the time,
for a ring posy. The tone of affection throughout the letter
marks a natural sympathy between the gaoler, thirsting for the
blood of his helpless prisoner, and the Deputy who was
harrying and hanging the defenceless Irish by thousands.

To Sir John P arret \_Perrot\ January 26, 1586.
My good friend of old acquaintance, — I am very heartily
glad to understand by your letters to Sir Drue Drury, my
yoke-fellow in this heavy and unpleasant charge, that you
keep your health, and that among the broils of this tem-
pestuous world your Government standeth quiet, and as
the same was never more needful than at this present,
when all our neighbours on every side desire nothing more
than to disturb the happy peace of her Majesty's realms
and dominions, so it must be confessed that your desert is
the greater, and I wish it to be considered towards you, to
your satisfaction, and to the encouragement of others serving
in like place of trust and importance. I know you will look
for no new matter from a prisoner, wherein I must refer

Keeper of Mary Qtceeti of Scots. 353

you to the Court and courtiers, only I can tell you that we
continue in our old security, and that our fearful delays
threaten ruin to Prince and country. Love me still, I pray
you, and I trust it shall not repent you.
And thus, &c.

It is noted in Rishton's " Diary of events in the Tower of
London," that Edward Arden was executed December 23, 1583.
The Arden, therefore, spoken of by Poulet in the next letter is
probably Francis Arden, who was imprisoned in the Tower,
according to Rishton, March 25, 1584. The injustice of his
imprisonment is shown by one of the State Papers,^ entitled
"What course is meet to be held in the causes of certain
prisoners remaining in the Tower," dated May 27, 1585, which
says of him, " Francis Arden, indicted of treason, but the matter
not full enough against him; to be removed to her Majesty's
Bench." He probably was so removed and afterwards tried;
and as in those days a verdict for high treason was easily
obtained from a jury against a Catholic, even when the " matter "
was not very " full," he was condemned and sent back to the
Tower about the beginning of 1586; for in a subsequent list^
of prisoners in the Tower, October 24, 1589, he is mentioned
as " prisoner two years and three quarters, condemned of
treason," and in the margin, "Referred to her Majesty." He
was therefore under sentence of death when Poulet wrote.
Nearly eleven years after this he escaped from the Tower in
company with Father John Gerard.^

To Mr. Secretary Davison, January 27, 1586.
Sir, — I send unto you here inclosed a letter come to
my hands from one of the justices of peace of the county
of Huntingdon, which I answered forthwith, as may appear
by this copy, whereof I thought good to advertise you
without delay, to the end you may see that this dreadful

^ Domestic y Elizabeth, vol. clxxviii., n. 74.

2 Ibid., vol. ccxxvii., n. 37.

^ Condition of Catholics under James /., p. cxv.

354 Si^ Amias Poulet,

delay breedeth dread and danger of every side, and that
every day bringeth forth his new mischief, whereof in
reason and judgment there will be no end until the cause
be removed, and that the wrath of God be appeased by
the sweet-smelling sacrifice of justice executed upon this
lady, whose life threateneth ruin both to Prince and people.
There is also a great alarm in the county and in counties
adjoining, upon the rumour of the escape of one Arden, a
traitor.

And thus in haste.

In these letters Poulet has alluded to several of the stratagems
that were adopted by the Government in order to hasten the
execution of the Queen of Scots. By the " wicked conspiracies,"
mentioned in his letter^ to Davison of the 21st, the discovery
of which Poulet prays may put an end to the "fearful delay;"
is doubtless intended the pretended plot of the younger Stafford,
through which Destrappes, Chateauneuf's secretary, was thrown
into the Tower. The spirit in which Poulet writes well illustrates
the effect produced by the daily rumours set afloat, that London
was fired by the Papists, that the Queen of Scots had escaped,
that a Scotch army had crossed the Border, that a Northern
rebeUion had broken out, that Guise had landed in Sussex, that
a Spanish fleet rode in Milford Haven; rumours all contrived
to enlist the fears and the hatred of the nation against the
Scottish Queen. Camden^ represents these reports as expressly
designed, "ad majores terrores Reginse incutiendum," to terrify
Elizabeth into signing the warrant.

Poulet, too blunt-minded to see that the hue and cry was
a trick to hasten Mary's execution by spreading panic and
arousing Elizabeth's fears, gives his "simple opinion" on "these
seditious rumours " in a way that must have amused the more
astute Secretaries of State. Among the Lansdowne Manuscripts^
are two letters of the mayor and aldermen of Exeter, the first

1 Supra, p. 351.

2 Annales, p. 485.

* Lansd. AfSS., n. 51, f. 42 ; Wright's Queen Elizabeth and her times ^
vol. ii., p. 329.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 355

written February 3, i58f, to Lord Burghley, for instructions
with regard to a precept of hue and cry for the Queen of Scots
who was said to have made her escape ; the other to the Privy
Council, dated "the 4th of February, at the hour of one in the
night," respecting another hue and cry received by them "that
her Majesty's City of London by the enemies is set on fire,"
and commanding them to have their "men and armour in
readiness upon pain of death." They are curious enough for
insertion.

'"''Hue and Cry.

"These are to charge you in her Majesty's name upon
pain of death, to make diligent search, and hue and cry for
the Queen of Scots, who is fled, and to lay all highways, and
stay all barks and shipping in your harbours, for that the
direction came from Mr. Howard, Esquire ; so you keep a
standing watch day and night until you receive order to the
contrary, and let this be done by the chief of your parish.
This 2nd of February, anno 1586. Received into Honiton at
1 1 of the clock in the forenoon, this present Thursday.

" Thomas Ward, Constable of Honiton.

"This hue and cry to go to the Mayor of Exeter, and so
forth.

" Received by David Colles of Honiton the 2nd of February,
about I of the clock in the afternoon, into Exon."

'■''Hue and Cry.

"These are in the Queen's Majesty's name to charge and
command, immediately upon sight hereof, to send like precepts
four manner of ways, from town to town, to make your armour
and artillery in readiness, and that with all speed, upon pain of
death, for London is set on fire. For Mr. Turlett of Anstenlewell
brought this word from the Bell, the ist of February. Send
this to Exeter with all speed.

"William Bowerman, Justice.

"This from Sampfield this loth inst, Saturday, the 4th of
February, 1586, at 8 of the clock in the evening.

X 2

35 6 Sir Amias Poidet,

" Received this by the hands of Robert Smythe of Collumpton,
the 4th of February, at lo of the clock in the night.

"William Marston,
" William Kirkham,
''Edward Hate.

''These are in her Majesty's name straitly to charge and
command you that upon the sight hereof you send Uke precept
two or three ways, from tithing to tithing, to set your men in
armour with all speed upon pain of death, for London is on
fire. Let this go to Exeter upon horseback. Haste ! haste ! haste !
"Thomas Ward, Constable of Honiton.

" Received from Mr. Collins, this 4th day of February, about
8 of the clock at night

"Received this by Philip Balston, of Honiton, victualler,
betwixt the hours of 9 and 10,

" By me, Roger Chandon."

To Mr. Secretary Davison^ yamiary 30, 1586.
[Sir], — You may perceive by these letters inclosed, with
mine [ans]wer to the same, that the report of the Scottish
Queen's escape, or of her taking away, as it is now termed,
carrieth such credit in these parts, as it [is] followed with hue
and cry. And although, considering my late letters to like
effect, I did not think needful to advertise you thereof with
speed, yet I would not hide it from you, and therefore do
send it by one of my servants repairing to London about
his own business, not doubting but that the same will come
as speedily to your hands as if it had been sent by the post.
These seditious rumours are not to be neglected, in my
simple opinion, and indeed there is not a more ready way
to levy forces to the achieving of that which these lewd
reporters pretend to fear. I cannot let them to flatter
themselves with vain hope, but by the grace of God I will
not lose this lady, my charge, without the loss of my life,
neither shall it be possible for any force to take her out ot
my hands alive. And thus, &c.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 357

To Mr. Secretary Davison, February 2, 1586.
Sir, — I pray you give me leave to deal plainly and
openly with you, wherein I am the more bold because you
carry the reputation to be round and sincere in all your
proceedings. I may say truly, that I have been grieved
and troubled in body and mind by the space of many
weeks for the general, but now lately to increase my grief
I have felt some disquietudes in particular. The cause is
this. It pleased Sir Francis Walsingham not long before
Christmas last, upon occasion of some intermission of
writing at that time, to promise to take order that this
charge should be more often remembered, as a thing very
necessary and convenient, as he affirmed, sithence which
time I have written many letters to you and others to
several purposes, and for answer have received only one
letter from you during the two months last past. It is far
from me, as God best knoweth, to desire to be informed of
secret causes, or of anything [beyond] that belonging in
reason and necessity to the charge committed unto me ; but
to hear nothing at all, I must confess that it breedeth in me
some hard conceits against myself I am occasioned many
times, and sometimes directed to do things by discretion,
and being now so well recovered, I thank God, of my . . .

It is greatly to be wished that here this volume might
end. The new letters that we have undertaken to publish have
been given in their integrity, together with many others taken
from our Public Records. Once, it seems, there existed a
narrative from Poulet's pen of the execution of the Queen of
Scots, but it is now lost.^ It was in the possession of his

1 Mr. Ogle, the editor of Poulet's letters for the Roxburghe Club, in
his Preface, mentions that "Hardinge, in his Biographic Mirror (vol. ii., p. 74)
quotes a passage from a letter to Burghley from Poulet before" the latter left
on his embassy to France, which he says is taken from a large collection of
MSS. preserved among the family papers at Hinton St. George. The present
Earl Poulett has kindly, at the editor's request, caused search to be made for
these letters, but unhappily, neither they, nor any trace of such a collection,
can be discovered " (p. 2, note).

35^ '^'^V Amias Potdet,

descendants, together with other letter-books, which, at the
beginning of the eighteenth century, were preserved among the
family archives at Hinton St. George. Amongst these were the
w^ell known letters respecting the proposed assassination. We
owe them to Hearne, by whom they were printed in ttie glossary
to Robert of Gloucester.^ They were transcribed and com-
municated to Hearne by Mr. Edward Prideaux Gwyn, gentleman
commoner of Christ Church, and they are here printed from
Hearne's manuscript Diary, which is preserved in the Bodleian
Library.

Freebairn, in his Life of Mary Queen of Scots,^ says that
" a copy transcribed from the originals was sent to Dr. Mackenzie,
by Mr. John Urry, of Christ Church, Oxford."

Another transcript exists in the British Museum, amongst the
Harleian Manuscripts.^ It is in the handwriting of Lord Oxford,
and it is accompanied by the following letter from the Duke of
Chandos.

"Cannons, Aug. 23, 1725.

" My Lord, — I ought long before this to have returned your
lordship the inclosed, and made my acknowledgments to you for
the liberty you gave me to take copies of 'em. They are a
very valuable curiosity, and deserve well to be preserved.

"I am, my lord,

" Your lordship's obedient humble servant,

" Chandos."

Addressed — " To the right honourable the Earl of Oxford, at
his house in Dover Street." On this correspondence Chalmers*
remarks that "neither Lord Oxford nor the Duke seem to have
known that those notorious epistles had been already published
in 1722 by Dr. Mackenzie in his Life of Mary.^ They were
also pubhshed in 1725 in Jebb."^

Now, Queen Elizabeth had written •" to Mary not quite two
years before this about Sir Amias Poulet in these terms — "You
need not to doubt that a man that reverenceth God, loveth his

1 P. 673. 2 p 270. 3 N. 6994, f. 50. -* Vol. ii., p. 185, note.

^ Lives, iii., 340. ^ App., viii. "^ Vol. xv., n. 57; supra, p. 6.

Keeper of Mary Qtcee7i of Scots, 359

Prince, and is no less by calling honourable than by birth noble,
will ever do anything unworthy of himself." This man, by calling
honourable, by birth noble, reverencing his God and loving his
Prince, was required by his sovereign, a Queen of England, to
be the assassin of the helpless woman who was committed to
his custody. Poulet had condescended to do much that was
unworthy of himself during Mary's captivity. He had expressed
himself as vehemently desirous of her death, and the words
had been seen by Elizabeth, as the writer intended that they
should be seen. But though Poulet thought in his fanaticism
that to put Mary to death would be to do God service, he was
not capable of the degradation to which Elizabeth urged him.
We may feel certain that if he had obeyed the unworthy orders
he received, Elizabeth would have left on him the full responsi-
bility, and a worse fate than Davison's would have been his.

Once more we turn to Mr. Froude, and it is to draw from his
pages this comment on the conduct of Queen Elizabeth. It
^*was not noble, but it was natural and pardonable."^ Natural!
Unhappily, it is quite possible that there have been some in
whom even a mean and wicked endeavour to throw upon another
the odium of the violent death of a kinswoman may be called in
too true a sense natural ; but God forbid that the day should
ever come when an English writer unrebuked may say that such
<:onduct is y^mzX, pardonable.

To Sir Amias Poulet?
After our hearty commendations, we find by speech
lately uttered by her Majesty that she doth note in
you both a lack of that care and zeal of her service
that she looketh for at your hands, in that you have
not in all this time of yourselves (without other provo-
cation) found out some way to shorten the life of that
■Queen, considering the great peril she is subject unto
hourly, so long as the said Queen shall live. Wherein,
besides a kind of lack of love towards her, she noteth

^ History^ vol. xii.,p. 241.
2 Heame's MS. Diary, vol. Ixxxv., p. 89, from Gvvyn's transcript.

360 Sir Amias Poulet,

greatly that you have not that care of your own particular
safeties, or rather of the preservation of religion and the
public good and prosperity of your country, that reason
and policy commandeth, especially having so good a
warrant and ground for the satisfaction of your con-
sciences towards God and the discharge of your credit
and reputation towards the world, as the oath of asso-
ciation which you both have so solemnly taken and
vowed, and especially the matter wherewith she standeth
charged being so clearly and manifestly proved against
her. And therefore she taketh it most unkindly towards
her, that men professing that love towards her that you
do, should in any kind of sort, for lack of the discharge
of your duties, cast the burthen upon her, knowing as
you do her indisposition to shed blood, especially of one
of that sex and quality, and so near to her in blood as
the said Queen is. These respects we find do greatly
trouble her Majesty, who, we assure you, has sundry
times protested that if the regard of the danger of her
good subjects and faithful servants did not more move
her than her own peril, she would never be drawn to
assent to the shedding of her blood. We thought it very
meet to acquaint [you] with these speeches lately passed
from her Majesty, referring the same to your good
judgments. And so we commit you to the protection of
the Almighty.

At London, February i, 1586.

Your most assured friends^

Francis Walsingham,
Wm. Davison.

This letter was received at Fotheringay the 2nd of
February, at five in the afternoon.

An abstract of a letter from Mr. Secretary DavisoUy
of the said 1st of February, 1586, as followeth — I pray

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 361

let this and the inclosed be committed to the fire, which
measure^ shall be likewise mete to your answer, after
it hath been communicated to her Majesty for her
satisfaction.

A postscript in a letter from Mr. Secretary Davison^
of the 'i^rd of February y 1586 — I entreated you in my
last to burn my letters sent unto you for the argument
sake, which by your answer to Mr. Secretary (which I
have seen) appeareth not to have been done. I pray
you, let me entreat you to make heretics of the one
and the other, as I mean to use yours, after her Majesty
hath seen it.

In the e7id of the postscript — I pray you let me hear
what you have done with my letters, because they are
not fit to be kept, that I may satisfy her Majesty therein,
who might otherwise take offence thereat, and if you
entreat this postscript in the same manner, you shall
not err a whit.

A. Poulet — D. Drury.
A copy of a letter to Sir Francis Walsingham, of the
2nd of February y 1586, at six in the afternoon, being the
answer to a letter from him, the said Sir Francis, of the
1st of February, 1586, received at Fotheringay the 27id day
of February, at five in the afternoon — Your letters of
yesterday coming to my hands this present day at five
in the afternoon, I would not fail according to your
directions to return my answer with all possible speed,
which {sic) shall deliver unto you with great grief and
bitterness of mind, in that I am so unhappy to have
liven to see this unhappy day, in the which I am required
by direction from my most gracious sovereign to do an
act which God and the law forblddeth. My good livings
and life are at her Majesty's disposition, and am ready

^ For measure Lord Oxford has read we assure.

362 Sir Amias Poulet,

to so lose them this next morrow if it shall so please
her, acknowledging that I hold them as of her mere
and most gracious favour, and do not desire them to
enjoy them, but with her Highness' good liking. But
God forbid that I should make so foul a shipwreck of
my conscience, or leave so great a blot to my poor
posterity, to shed blood without law or warrant. Trusting
that her Majesty, of her accustomed clemency, will take
this my dutiful answer in good part (and the rather by
your good mediation), as proceeding from one who will
never be inferior to any Christian subject living in duty,
honour, love, and obedience towards his sovereign.

And thus I commit you to the mercy of the Almighty.

From Fotheringay, the 2nd of February, 1586.

Your most assured poor friends,

A. POULET,

D. Drury.

Your letters coming in the plural number seem to
"be meant as to Sir Drue JDrury as to myself, and yet
because he is not named in them, neither the letter
directed unto him, he forbeareth to make any particular
answer, but subscribeth in heart to my opinion.

I copied these letters irt December, lyi'j, from a MS. folio
book of letters to and from Sir Amias Poulet, when tJie
Queen of Scots' governor at Fotheringay. This book is in
the hands of JoJm Earl Potdett, his immediate descendant,
and in that book is likewise cofitained a particular account
oftheJrialand exectUion of the Queen of Scots, which seems
to be done by Sir Amias himself}

Poulet was too cautious to destroy the disgraceful letters
he had been dishonoured by receiving from the secretaries of
his sovereign. He carried the originals with him to London,
^ With this note by Mr. Gwyn, Hearae's copy ends.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 363

and there doubtless they were "made heretics of," as Davison
had urged. But mindful of his own reputation, he left copies
with his famil)'-, that, if necessary, it might be known in what
terms he had repelled the base proposal.

Poitlet to Davison?-

Sir, — The rule of charity commandeth to bear with
the impatience of the afflicted, which Christian lesson you
have learned, as I find by experience to my great content-
ment, in that you have been content to bear with my
malapertness, wherein you bind me more and more to love
you and to honour you, which I will do with all honest
faithfulness.

If I should say that I have burned the papers you
wot of, I cannot tell if everybody would believe me,
and therefore I reserve them to be delivered to your
own hands at my coming to London. God bless you
and prosper all your actions to His glory.

From Fotheringay, the 8th of February, 1586.

Your most assuredly to my small power,

A. POULET.

Addressed — To the right honourable Mr. William
Davison, esquire, one of her Majesty's principal secretaries.

Endorsed by Lord Burghley — February 8th, 1586, from
Sir Amias Poulet to Mr. Secretary Davison.

We give two more letters, written by Poulet at Fotheringay,
after the death of the Queen of Scots, and with them we bring
the series to a close. By the time they reached London, Davison
was in the Tower. They were received, as the endorsement
shows, by Lord Burghley. If the mention of the usual straitness
in money matters excites a smile, we are soon made serious again
by Poulet's pious rejoicings over Mary's death, written on the
day of her execution.

^ Vol. xxi., n. 13.

364 Sir Amias Poulety

Poulet to Davison?-
Sir, — It may please you to let me know from you what
shall become of the families of this castle and Chartley,
and in what sort and for what places passports shall
be made for the Scottish train when they shall be dis-
charged, thinking, that considering the nearness of London,
both the French and Scottish will desire to pass that way,,
which was so appointed lon^ sithence by Mr. Secretary
Walsingham for those remaining at Chartley, and their
passports made to that effect, and left with Mr. Richard
Bagot, because it was then intended that they should
have been discharged within four or five days after the
removing of this lady from thence.

It seemeth meet that some watch and ward be kept
about this house during the continuance here of the
Scottish company, which may be supplied by my thirty
soldiers, if you shall like of it, and the forty soldiers
taken out of Huntingdonshire may be discharged.

Although Mr. Darrell, master of her Majesty's house-
hold here, hath been destitute of money of late, yet I
have forborne upon consideration of the uncertainty of our
abode to trouble my Lord Treasurer therewith, and having
no ready mean to bring money from London, I have
supplied the want out of Nau's money remaining in my
hands, which may be repaid hereafter at London, as shall
be appointed by the lords of her Majesty's Council.

I trust I shall not need to put you in remembrance
for order to be given touching her Majesty's plate and
other household stuff here, as likewise for the coffers
and trunks belonging to Nau and Curie.

Sir Drue Drury with his hearty due commendations
unto you, prayeth your favourable mean for his revoca-
tion, which he would not desire (notwithstanding his great
and urgent occasions) if the cause of his abode were not

^ Vol. xxi., n. 12.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 365

through the mercy and favour of our good God clearly
removed, to the great comfort of himself and all other
faithful Christian subjects. I will say nothing of his careful
service in this place, because his zeal to religion, duty to
his sovereign, and love to his country are very well known
unto you.

The children of God have daily experience of His
mercy and favour towards such as can be content to
depend of His merciful providence, who doth not see as
man seeth, but His times and seasons are always just and
perfectly good. The same God make us all thankful
for His late singular favours. And thus I leave to
trouble you, wishing unto you all felicity in our Lord
Jesus. .^^

From Fotheringay, the 8th of February, I58b.\\ \

Your very assured friend to my small power,

A. POULET.

We may not forbear to signify unto you that these two

Earls ^ have showed a very singular and faithful affection

to her Majesty's service in this action, as you shall .be

infor^ned more particularly by me, Robert Beale, at my

return to the Court, which shall be shortly by the grace

of God.

A. PoULET.

D. Drury.

Robert Beale.

Addressed — To the right honourable Mr. William
Davison, esquire, one of her Majesty's principal secretaries.

Endorsed in Lord Biirghley's hand — 8th February,
1586. Sir Amias Poulet, Sir D. Drury, to Mr. Secretary
Davison.

^ The Earls of Shrewsbury and Kent were the Commissioners to whom
the warrant for the execution was addressed.

366 Sir Amias Poulet,

The following paper ^ is a list drawn up by Poulet with
a view to the preparation of passports for those mentioned
in it.

"Upon conference with the French and Scottish servants,
they answer as followeth :

"Mr. Melvin, now remaining with Mr. Bagot, prayeth to
take London in his way towards Scotland.

"I have not spoken with the Priest remaining with Mr. Gresley^
but I find by a message received from him of late that he is
willing to go directly into France.

"Bastian and his wife, with their two daughters and one
son, are desirous to go to London, and from thence into
France.

" Baltazar will go into France.

" Curie's servant is desirous to wait on his mistress.

" Nau's servant did once serve Mr. Pierrepont, and doth pray
to return unto him.

"The cocher and the grooms of the stable are of Sheffield,
in Derbyshire, and of the parts adjoining, and pray to return
thither.

" Curie's wife prayeth to go to London.

"The three laundresses are of Derbyshire, and desire to
return thither."

Poulet to Walsingham?

Sir, — Following the direction of the lords of her
Majesty's Council, signified by your letters of the 15th
of this present, I have brought hither the Scottish
household from Chartley, and have discharged all the
soldiers, one porter and four soldiers only excepted which
have the charge of the gate.

I send unto you herewith the inventory ' of her
Majesty's plate, hangings, and other household stuff lately
used in this castle, whereof the plate, the greater part of
the hangings, and all the best stuff was removed from

^ Vol. xxL, n. 2I." 2 Vol. xxi., n. 20.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 367

hence yesterday under the conduct of some of my servants,
praying you to signify forthwith to my servant Robert
Hackshaw remaining in London, in what place there the
said plate and other stuff shall be discharged, as likewise
Mr. Darrell prayeth for the better clearing of his account,
and doth think it so meet for her Majesty's better service
that the said plate and other stuff may not be removed
from the place where it shall be unladen, until his coming
to London. One of the conductors of these carts is
commanded to be at London four or five hours before
the arrival of the carts to learn of my serv^ant Hackshaw
where the said carts shall be unladen.

The jewels, plate, and other goods belonging to the
late Queen of Scots were already divided into many parts
before the receipt of your letters, as may appear by the
inventory thereof inclosed herein, the whole company
(saving Kenethy [Kennedy] and Curie's sister, two of her
gentlewomen) affirming that they have nothing to show
for these things from their mistress in writing, and that
all the smaller things were delivered by her own hands.
I have, according to your direction, committed the
custody of the said jewels, plate, and other stuff ta
Mr. Melvin, the physician, and Mrs. Kenethy, one of the
gentlewomen.

The care of the embalming of the body of the late
Queen was committed to the high sheriff of this county,
who, no doubt, was very willing to have it well done, and
used therein the advice of a physician dwelling at Stamford,
with the help of two surgeons, and yet upon order given
according to your direction for the body to be covered
with lead, the physician hath thought good to add
somewhat to his former doings, and doth now take
upon him that it may continue for some reasonable
time.

I purpose by the grace of God to depart from hence
towards London on Monday next, the 27th of this present

2,6S Sir Amias Poulet,

And thus I leave to trouble you, committing you to the
mercy of the Almighty.

From Fotheringay, the 25 th of February, 1586.

Your most assured poor friend,

A. POULET.

Addressed — To the right honourable Sir Francis
Walsingham, knight, her Majesty's principal secretary.

Endorsed — 25th February, 1586, from Sir Amias Poulet.
Letters from Sir Amias Poulet, Mr. Somers, and Francis
Mills, employed about the business with the Scottish
Queen.

The inventory^ of the property of the Queen of Scots, alluded
to in the foregoing letter, is printed in Prince Labanoff' s collec-
tion, in which it occupies more than twenty pages. Poulet
compiled it by summoning Mary's servants before him, and
requesting each of them to give him a written note of all that
the Queen had given them. 2 A comparison of this inventory,
made after Mary's death, with a former one, dated June 13,
1586, which Prince Labanoff found amongst M. de Chateauneuf's
papers^ enables us to see that Mr. Froude has been led into a
curious error respecting Mary Stuart^s dress at the scaffold by
the anonymous writer whose account he follows in preference
to the narratives drawn up by responsible witnesses. It may
seem to be of little importance, but as Mr. Froude has chosen
to represent the last moments of Mary's life as ** brilliant acting
throughout," he should at least have been accurate in his details.
He even goes so far as to say that she was deprived of the
assistance of her chaplain for " fear of some religious melodrame."
As to her dress, he says,* "She stood on the black scaffold with
the black figures all around her, blood-red from head to foot.
Her reasons for adopting so extraordinary a costume must be

1 Vol. xxi,, n. 20, I ; Labanoff, torn, vii., p. 254,

2 Jebb, vol. ii., p. 649.

2 Labanoff, torn, vii., p. 231.
* History ^ voL xii., p. 254,

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 369

left to conjecture. It is only certain that it must have been
carefully studied, and that the pictorial effect must have been
appalling." And he quotes from the Vray Rapport the words,
"Ainsyfut executee toute en rouge."

The rouge was not " blood-red," but a dark red brown.
Blackwood says that she wore, with a pourpoint or bodice of
black satin, "une Juppe de vellours cramoisi brun," and the
narrative called La Mort de la Royne d'Escosse says the same.
There it is in the June inventory, "Une juppe de velloux
cramoisy brun, bandee de passement noir, doublee de taffetas de
couleur brune." In the inventory taken after her death it is
wanting. As it happens, if she had wished to be "blood-red,"
she might have been so, for in the wardrobe there was "satin
figure incarnat," " escarlate," and " satin incarnate." These
figure both in the June and February inventories. When she
was dressed "le plus proprement qu'elle put et mieux que de
coutume," she said to her maids of honour, "Mes amies, je
vous eusse laisse plustost cet accoustrement que celui d'hier,
sinon qu'il faut que j'aille a la mort un peu honnorablement, et
que j'aye quelque chose plus que le commun." "La tragedie
finie," continues Blackwood, " les pauvres damoiselles, soigneuses
de rhonneur de leur maistresse s'adresserent a Paulet son
gardien, et le prierent que le bourreau ne touchast plus au
corps de sa Majeste, et qu'il leur fust permis de la despouiller,
apres que le monde seroit retire, afin qu'aucune indignite ne
fust faitte au corps, promettant de luy rendre la despouille, et
tout ce qu'il pourroit demander. Mais ce maudict et espou-
ventable Cerbere les renvoya fort lourdement, leur commandant
de sortir de la salle. Cependant le bourreau la dechausse, et
la manie a sa discretion. Apres qu'il eust fait tout ce qu'il
voulust, le corps fut porte en une chambre joignante celle de
ces serviteurs, bien fermee de peur qu'ils n'y entrassent pour
luy rendre leurs debvoirs. Ce qui augmenta grandement leur
ennuy, ils la voyoient par le trou de la serrure demy couverte
d'un morceau de drop de bure qu'on avoit arrache de la table
du billard, dont nous avous parle cy dessus, et prioyent Dieu
k la porte, dont Paulet s'appercevant fist boucher le trou."^
* Jebb ,vol. il, pp. 306, 489, 640.

0/

Sir Amias Potilet,

The executioner snatched from her hand the little gold cross
that she took from her neck. "Sa Majeste osta hors de
son col line croix d'or, qu'elle vouloit bailler a mie de
ses filles, disant au maistre d'oeuvres, Mon amy, cecy n'est
pas k vostre usage, laissez la a cette damoiselle elle vous
baillera en argent plus qu'elle ne vaut; il luy arracha d'entre
les mains fort rudement, disant, C'est mon droit. C'eust
este merveille qu'elle eust trouve courtoisie en un bourreau
Anglois, qui ne I'avoit jamais sceu trouver entre les plus honestes
du pais, sinon tant qu'ils en pouvoient tirer de profit." It was
worthy of Poulet to insist that, even though everything Mary
wore was to be burnt and the headsman was to lose his perqui-
sites lest he should sell them for relics, it was to be by his
hands that they should be taken from the person of his victim.
Several narratives of the execution exist. The most complete,
attributed to Bourgoin, is printed in Jebb.^ Sir H. ElHs and
Robertson print the official report of the Commissioners. Then
there is Chateauneuf's Report to Henry III., February 27,
1587, N.S., in Teulet, and a narrative drawn up for Burghley
by R. W. (Richard Wigmore). Blackwood also furnishes an
interesting and trustworthy description. The anonymous Vray
Rapport will be found in Teulet. ^ Mr. Froude appears to have
selected it, partly because it was possible to expand the Realistic
description of the dissevered head, and in particular the inevit-
able contraction of the features, into the gross and pitiless
caricature which he permits himself of the poor wreck of humanity;
partly too, because the Vray Rapport, in direct contradiction to
the other accounts, supports his assertion that Mary was
"dreadfully agitated" on receiving the message of death from
the two Earls. To convey the impression that the writer was
bodily present on that occasion, Mr. Froude introduces him as
"evidently an eye-witness, one of the Queen of Scots' own
attendants, probably her surgeon." But the narrative shows us
that the writer, whoever he was, could not have been one of
Mary's attendants, nor even acquainted with them, for he desig-
nates the two ladies who assisted their mistress at the scaffold
as "deux damoiselles, I'une FranQoise nommee damoiselle
^ Vol. ii,, pp. 611—649. ^ Tom. iv., pp. 154—164.

Keeper of Mary Qiteen of Scots. 371

Ramete, et I'autre Escossoise, qui avait nom Ersex." There
were no such names in Mary's household. The two ladies were
both Scottish, Jane Kennedy and Elspeth Curie, Gilbert Curie's
sister. Mr. Froude says, "Barbara Mowbray bound her eyes
with a handkerchief." It was Jane Kennedy who performed
for her this last service.

Poulet's inventory, amongst other things, contains the follow-
ing entry : " Memorandum that the Priest claim eth as of the
said late Queen's gift, a silver chalice with a cover, two silver
cruets, four images, the one of our Lady in red coral, with
divers other vestments and necessaries belonging to a Massing
Priest." When the scaffold had been taken away, the Priest
was allowed to leave his room and join the rest of the household.
On the morning after the execution he said Mass for Mary's
soul; but on the afternoon of that day Melville and Bourgoin
were sent for by Poulet, who gave orders that the altar should
be taken down, and demanded an oath that Mass should not
be said again. Melville excused himself as he was a Protestant
and not concerned; the physician stoutly refused. Poulet sent
for the Priest, and required the coffer in which the vestments
were kept to be brought to him. Du Preau, who was evidently
a timid man, took the oath that Poulet insisted on, little thinking
that he was pledging himself for six months. "II jura sur la
bible de ne faire aucune office de religion, craignant d'estre
resserre en prison." ^

The household of the late Queen were not allowed to
depart as soon as Poulet expected. They were detained at
Fotheringay, from motives of policy, till the 3rd of August,
when the funeral of their mistress having been at last
performed, they were set free. Some of them were taken
to Peterborough to accompany the corpse and to be present
at the funeral ceremonies on the ist of August. Amongst
them, in the order of the procession, it is surprising to find
Mary's chaplain, "Monsieur du Preau, aumosnier, en long
manteau, portant une croix d'argent en main." The account
of the funeral from which this is taken, written by one of the
late Queen's household, takes care to mention that when they

^ Jebb, vol. ii., pp. 649, 656.
Y2

372 Sir Amias Poulet,

reached the choir of Peterborough Minster, and the choristers
began "k chanter a leur fagon en langage Anglois," they all,
with the exception of Andrew Melville and Barbara Mowbray,^
left the church and walked in the cloisters till the service was
finished. "Si les Anglois," he says, "et principalement le Roy
des heraux . . . estoit en extreme cholere, d'autant estoient
joieux et contents les Catholiques."

Poulet left for London, and as long as Mary's servants
were detained at Fotheringay, he seems to have retained juris-
diction over them. It was to him, therefore, that Melville
and Bourgoin applied in March for leave to sell their horses
and to write into France respecting the bequests made to them
by the Queen of Scots ; and to him that Darrell forwarded in
June "the petition of the whole household and servants of the
late Queen of Scotland remaining at Fotheringay," ^ begging to
be released from their prison and to be allowed to leave the
country.

Poulet, as has already been said, was made Chancellor of
the Garter in April, 1587, but he did not retain this preferment
for a whole year. He continued in the Captaincy of Jersey
up to his death, but he appears to have resided in and near
London. In the British Museum are two letters^ from him of
small importance. One, addressed to the Lord High Admiral,
is dated, "From my poor lodging in Fleet Street, the 14th of
January, 1587," about "right of tenths in Jersey, belonging
to the Government." The other, "From my little lodge at
Twickenham, the 24th of April, 1588," "on behalf of Berry,"
whose divorce was referred by the Justices of the Common
Pleas ta four Doctors of the Civil Law, of whom Mr. Doctor
Caesar, Judge of the Admiralty, to whom the letter was written,
was one.

His name also occurs in a letter, from Walsingham to
Burghley, dated May 23, 1587, while Elizabeth still kept up
the farce of Burghley's disgrace for despatching Mary Stuart's
death-warrant. "Touching the Chancellorship of the Duchy,

^ Qy. Gillis. Barbara, her sister, was Curie's wife.

2 Vol. xxi., nn. 30, 33, 34.

* Additional MSS., n. 12507, f. 126; n. 12506, f. 261.

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 373

she told Sir Amias Poulet that in respect of her promise
made unto me, she would not dispose of it otherwise.
But yet hath he no power to deliver the seals unto me,
though for that purpose the Attorney is commanded to attend
him, who I suppose will be dismissed hence this day with-
out any resolution." And on the 4th of January following,
together with the other lords of the Council, he signed a letter
addressed by the Privy Council to the Lord Admiral and to
Lord Buckhurst, the Lieutenants of Sussex, against such Catholics
as "most obstinately have refused to come to the church to
prayers and divine service," requiring them to " cause the most
obstinate and noted persons to be committed to such prisons
as are fittest for their safe keeping : the rest that are of value,
and not so obstinate, are to be referred to the custody of some
-ecclesiastical persons and other gentlemen well affected, to remain
at the charges of the recusant, to be restrained in such sort as
they may be forthcoming, and kept from intelligence with one
.another,"! On the 26th of September, in the year in which
this letter was written, 1588, Sir Amias Poulet died.

Poulet was buried in St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London. When
that church was pulled down to be rebuilt, his remains, with
the handsome monument erected over them, were removed to
the parish church of Hinton St. George. After various pane-
gyrics in Latin, French, and English inscribed on his monument,
a quatrain, expressive apparently of royal favour, pays the
following tribute to the service rendered by him to the State
as Keeper of the Queen of Scots —

E. R.

Never shall cease to spread wise Poulet's fame ;
These will speak, and men shall blush for shame :
Without offence to speak what I do know,
Great is the debt England to him doth owe.

^ Harl. MSS., n. 6994, f. 39 ; n. 703, f. 52 ; Wright's Queen Elizabeth and
her times, vol. ii., pp. 338, 358. Mr. Wright is mistaken in stating (p. 255,
note) that Poulet's Embassy in France was "at a later period," after he had
-the custody of the Queen of Scots.

ADDITIONAL NOTES.

Page 2, — In Lord Burghley's Notes of Queen Elizabeth^ s Reign (Murdin,
p. 787), there occurs this entry. "February, 1587. The Chancellorship
of the Garter by the death of Amyas Paulett granted to Mr. Secretary
"Walsingham." This must have been written by Burghley so long afterwards
that he had forgotten the details. Poulet succeeded Walsingham in the
Chancellorship, and was succeeded byWolley, and though he died in 1588,,
he was not dead in the February of that year.

Page 21, — Lady Pope, mentioned by Morgan, was Elizabeth, eldest
daughter of Walter Blount of Blount Hall, co. Stafford, who married first,
Anthony Basford or Beresford of Bentley in Derbyshire ; secondly. Sir
Thomas Pope, whose third wife she was ; and thirdly. Sir Hugh Poulet,
father of Sir Amias. Sir Thomas Pope was the founder of Trinity College,
Oxford, and his wife Elizabeth was a benefactor of the College. Her effigy
is in the College chapel, beside that of Sir Thomas, and her picture is in
the hall. The name of Lady Poulet appears in various lists of recusants.
For instance. Justice Young wrote to Lord Keeper Puckering, February 25,.
159^, that Thomas Hygate, a Priest, had been harboured, amongst other
places, "at the Lady Pawlett's in Essex, with Mr, Southcote, who married
her daughter" {Domestic, Elizabeth, vol, ccxliv., n, 48), And again, in May,
1587, in a list of "Common receivers, harbourers, and maintainers of Jesuits-
and Seminary Priests," we have, amongst other names, those of "The Lady
Lovell, the Lady Paulet, the Lady Copley" {Ibid., vol, cci., n, 53). She
survived her third husband, and had issue only by Beresford, who left her a
widow March i, 1539. Sir T, Pope died Jan. 29, I55f, and Sir H,
Poulet in 1571. She died October 7, 1593, possessed of the estate of
Tittenhanger, co. Herts., and was succeeded by her nephew. Sir Thomas
Pope Blount, knight, son of her eldest brother, William Blount, which
Thomas (her children by her first husband being then all dead) was not only
her heir-at-law, but also great-nephew of her husband, Sir Thomas Pope,,
through his mother, Frances, daughter of Edward Love, Esq., by Alice, sister
of Sir Thomas Pope (Clutterbuck's Hertfordshire ; Burton's Leicestershire).
Father Richard Blount, S,J., was the younger brother of Sir Thomas Pope
Blount.

Page 85. — The confitures seiches had, as Poulet suspected, another meaning,.
It was Mary's secret supply of money, which was brought to her in a way
that we should have thought could not possibly have escaped detection on
arrival, if it escaped pillage on the road. Those through whose hands-
these boxes of confitures passed must have thought them singularly heavy..

Sir Amias Poulet, 375

In her letter to the Archbishop of Glasgow of July 17, 1586, Mary requests
him to send to her four thousand crowns given to her by the King of Spain
for the expenses of her escape. " Ce que vous pourrez aisement faire par mes
nouveaulx serviteurs, s'ilz viennent en bref, ou dans deux cachettes secretes
aux deux boites d'un bahu, plain de boytes de confitures d'ltalie et d'Espagne,
le plus liegerement remplis que pourrez. Car oultre que telles choses pour
ma bouche sont plus respectees et moins maniees tant par les chemins que
icy, ayant accoustume d'en faire venir tous les ans, on se doubtera moins qu'il
y aye rien de cache pardessoubs. Je vous envoyeray le memoire de ces
confitures par la voye ouverte, et en cas qu'il ne yous soit rendu en temps, ne
laissez d'en choisir par precedentes memoires des annees passees" (Labanofif,
tom. vi., p. 414).

Page 117. — The last we hear of Phelippes is in 1622, when he must have
been an old man. He was then in the Marshalsea, "arrested upon an old
quarrel between me and one Tyttyn," when he wrote two letters dated
May 22, to Sir Robert Cotton, giving an account of a petition that he
had presented to King James I. {Cotton. MSS., Julius, C. iii., f. 297).
Perhaps the last thing we should have expected him to petition for would
have been "some ecclesiastical dignity," even though "of the inferior sort."
"Philips the decipherer hath been dealt with by such as take notice of his
wants and oppressions, for to leave the realm, and to expect entertainment
abroad to sell his skill. He was advised rather by others to have recourse
to the King's bounty here, being also of himself loth to wander at these
years, especially without leave of the State. He thereupon presented a
petition to his Majesty, importing that he had been forced, since his Majesty's
coming to this Crown, to part with a pension had for deciphering, towards
satisfaction of a debt owing to the late Queen, which she was in mind to have
pardoned. . . . His Majesty therefore may be moved — if not for his feat of
deciphering, by the which, notwithstanding, England was sometime preserved
to him, and sometime his Majesty to England, when he knew not of it — for
these other abilities to bestow somewhat upon him for the present, for to pay
his debts, till something may occur to repair his estate, and to entertain such
a servant, which may be, perhaps, some ecclesiastical dignity of the inferior
sort, whereof he is capable, pensions being burthensome to the Crown, and
his estate and age not attending other casualties or inventions." It is hardly
a conjecture to add that Phelippes must have sold to Sir Robert Cotton some
of the documents in his collection, which could only have come through the
hands of the old deceiver and decipherer.

Page 242. — The reader may be glad to have at hand the other letters in
which Barnes is concerned. They are therefore given here.

Barnes to the Queen of Scots. (Vol. xviii., n. 6.)
" Madam, — The dutiful good mind I have always inwardly to your
Highness borne hath been such as I have not only quietly lamented your
undeserved estate, but have likewise sought by all means to me possible with
as much as in me lay, I might any way yield you comfort in this your distressed
case, or employ myself and that little I had to do you service, all which inten-
tions of mine partly through my long imprisonment, and partly for divers other
causes as hitherto could take no effect until of late, having conferred with a

37^ Sir Amias Poulet,

certain kinsman of mine about such affairs, he imparted to me this kind of
service, which he could not so earnestly recommend unto me as I did willingly
and affectuously accept of the same. And surely in this he hath satisfied me
this far that I think not myself so much bound unto him in respect of our
consanguinity, and I do acknowledge myself redevable and beholden to him
for this his trust and courtesy. And, therefore, not only this way but howso-
ever it shall please your Highness to employ me, you shall find me ready
according to my ability to perform as you shall upon occasions think con-
venient to command. I have here sent you a packet from France which you
had received ere this if I had not in this strange country lighted in the hands
of thieves, who having spoiled me of my horse and money, have enforced me
to go on foot the best of my way. I expect your answer for the receipt as
soon as may be, for that I would presently repair again to London to furnish
myself of necessaries. I pray you send me a new alphabet, for that which I
write by was worn out, because I had it of my cousin. Thus my humble duty
to your Highness not forgotten, I commit you to God, whom I beseech long
to preserve your Majesty in life, and shortly to deliver you out of the hands of
your enemies.

" Dated this loth of June.

" Deciphered by me, Gilbert Curie, 5th October, 1586.

" This is the copy of the true and only letter I sent to the Queen of Scots.

"By me, Thomas Barnes."

Barnaby to Cm-le. {Ibid., erroneously entered in the Calendar as with n. 26.)

" From Barnaby unto me.

" Sir, — In the way from London I met yours of the 20th May, according
to the reformed calendar (which I will hereafter follow), which the bearer
thereof delivered and is returned with this only letter. I was bold to pray the
Ambassador to bestow an angel upon him, which would be a great encourage-
ment to him being a foot boy to run it, being also the manner of our nation
and a trifle in the whole year to her Majesty. Wherefore it may please you
to give credit to this motion by your next to the said Ambassador, which was
done in truth for her Majesty's better service. My brother desireth to be
troubled as little as he may with waiting, but is content to bear any charges as
I am any pains for her Majesty's good. Howbeit the alphabet in respect ot
any occasion that may happen in my absence is common between us, yet I
shall not be long at any time so far off but your directions may be sent to
myself. The 23rd of this present I will repair for answer. God have you in
His keeping.

"Lichfield, i6thjune, 1586.

" Deciphered by me, Gilbert Curie, 5th October, 1586."

Curie to Barnaby. (Vol. xviii., n. 10; Curie's draft, much corrected.)
** Sir, — At the seven night before my former, yours dated the 28th of April
with your cousin and the whole mentioned therein, came safe to her Majesty's
hands. So did on the 20th of this instant your other dated the i6th of the
same conform to the reformed calendar, whereof before now I could not
advertise you. Her Majesty thinketh herself not a little beholden to your said
cousin for the finding out of you and your brother to pleasure her Majesty in
this intercourse, nor less obliged unto yourselves for your so willing acceptance
of the pain and travail that thereby you shall have, which her Majesty hath

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, ^"j^j

commanded me to signify unto you in her name, and withal to assure you of
her goodwill and thankful mind to recognize the same in effect towards you
and all yours whensoever occasion and means may offer thereunto. By any
error or want of circumspection either in her Majesty's self, or any here about
her person, you may be assured there hath no inconvenience happened unto
any man whom her Majesty hath had intelligence withal, or employed as you
are, having always kept that order and rule on her side for the surest, that
never one almost should know of another dealing for her Majesty. But that
which has overthrown many (to her Majesty's extreme great grief), hath been
their own too great curiosity to know more than was requisite for their security,
and jealousy one of another after their too liberal revealing amongst themselves
of their goodwills in the cause, towards whom and their posterity, her Majesty
notwithstanding esteemeth her and hers bound to acknowledge her obligation
therein effectually, and will be no less careful in the meantime of your
preservations every way than of her own, which her Majesty maketh not so
much account of for any particular contentment she wisheth to herself as she
doth for the maintenance of God's cause, and the common good of this isle,
to which end her Majesty hath dedicated both her life and labour.

"On Monday last this bearer brought hither a letter written to her
Majesty in [Gilbert Gifford] his alphabet without any name or sign who he
may be that wrote it, except only that he asserted his kinsman imparted this
way to him. The inclosed is for him, desiring to know his name, without
the which her Majesty can ground no sure intelligence with him.

" For this day fortnight, which will be the 14th of July, her Majesty will
have a packet finished to be sent unto the French Ambassador, wherefore
desireth you for that time to hold your boy in readiness, and touching his
encouragement, her Majesty shall let the Ambassador know her intention to
your contentment. What correspondence I may give you for my own part
in this trade, you shall be sure to have all also the pleasure and service my
power can therewise do you, whom I pray God to preserve.

'• Chartley this 29th day of June [N.S.].

*' I have thought good to change the ciphered words added to this alphabet
in other simple characters as are herein noted, which I pray you use in time
coming, as I will to the end our ordinary writing in case of interception or
loss of our letters be not discovered as might by the other, and so by con-
sequence ourselves.

"From me to Bamabie at the Queen's Majesty my mistress' com-
mandment,

** Gilbert Curle.

•' 5th October, 1586.

*' Whosoever you be that hath written a letter unto me in the alphabet
hereof dated the loth of this instant, ^'hereunto before now I could not
answer, I must thank you right heartily for the affection declared therein
which you bear unto me, and the offer you make to let me effectually know
the same. But I would more boldly accept thereof and employ you if I did
know your particular intention therein, and what way you would pleasure me,
and what is your name, omitted in your said letter, which by your next I pray
you to utter. In the meanwhile, I do herewith send you a new alphabet
conform to your desire, and pray God to preserve you. This 19th of June
according to the new computation. [Air. Lemon adds — A mistake, June 19,
stylo veteri]."

37^ Sir Amias Poulet,

Curie to Barnaby. (Vol. xviii., n. i6a. In cipher, with decipher in Phelippes'
handwriting, veiy illegible. )

*' On Sunday last I wrote unto you by this bearer, having received nothing
from you since your letter dated the i6th of this instant. I hope to have her
Majesty's Ambassador's despatch mentioned in my foresaid ready for to-
morrow seven-night . . . appointment. In the mean season her Majesty
prayeth you to send your footboy as closely as you can . . . two little [letters]
inclosed the one so mar[ked to] Anthoine Babington dwelling in Derbyshire
. . . [ho]use of his own within two miles of . . . but you know for that in
this shire he hath both friends ... or snper scriptum to ... in Nottingham
town unto neither of the said personages . . . with whom he shall have . . .
and what is given him . . . herself you will with all convenient diligence
. . . her Majesty desire th you would . . . occurrents as may for her Majesty's
knowledge . . , within or without the realm, and in particular what you under-
stand of the Earl of Shrewsbury his going to Court . . . preserve you.

" Chartley, of July the 4th, on Saturday. \Mr. Lemoji's note. The day
of the month is the 5th, and according to the new style]."

Ctcrle to Barnaby. (Vol. xviii., n. 30,)
** The last of yours which came to my hands was dated the 17th of June,
since which have written to you twice, the one on this day was sennett,
and the other the 4th of this instant, but have had no word from you of the
receipt of either of the two. Herewitn is the packet mentioned in both, which
her Majesty prayeth you send by your boy or otherwise surely to the French
Ambassador. So, expecting you will by the next commodity to communicate
to her Majesty such news as you hear, I pray God to preserve you.

** This Saturday at Chartley, the 12th of July. {Mr. Lemon's note. This
according to the new style]. "

Barnaby to Curie. (Vol. xviii., n. 63. Draft in Phelippes' hand, much

corrected.)
*' Sir, — I have received your last of the 12th of July by my cousin Gilbert,
as also your other two therein . . . which in mine absence came to my
betters' hands, who took order for satisfaction of her Majesty touching the
contents, but . . . as a thing which he always desired he might not be charged
with. The present packet is committed to my cousin Gilbert, to be by himself
delivered, who hath likewise signified as he tells. . . . this second messenger,
as I hold it needless to trouble you with anything myself touching that point
. . . delivery of the letters in cipher inclosed in yours of the 12th instant,
my brother at London despatched it accordingly thither ... he received the
packet sent herewith, which Babington said required great haste, and therefore
the boy returned without staying for any despatch from the French Ambassador,
who attendeth letters he saith daily out of France. I will take order for the
. . . letter myself. I find the Earl of Shrewsbury he was greatly grieved with
a stay that the Queen of England made of a . . . punished by him about one
Babsthorpe, a gentleman, upon the statute of scandalum magnatum, for lewd
speeches uttered by the said Babsthorpe against the Earl. Howbeit the Earl
since his going up hath prevailed so far with . . . the Queen of England is
content the law shall have course. For other matters I refer to the next ; this
both sudden and speedy because of Mr. Babington's request. I received your

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 3 79

alteration of the alphabet . . . the reason I wish for great expedition also in
writing, that you would assign special characters for a number of the most
common words. So God preserve you.
" The 20th of July."

Curie to Barnaby. (Vol. xviii., n. 42. In cip/iei', with decipher in Phelippes''

hand. )

*' Sir, — Yesternight your letter dated the 12th of this instant, with the
inclosed to her Majesty received, who right thankfully at you which [?] diligence
you show to pleasure her in all she desireth. I trust you have caused deliver
her Majesty's answer to the second messenger, although (to say truly) her
Majesty agreeth with your cousin Gilbert his advice, not much to employ the
man, neither hath her Majesty been willing at any time unneedfully to this
course for her part with any other than yourself, your brother, and your cousin
Gilbert. If Mr. Babington be gone down to the country (for whom this
character )-( shall serve in time coming), her Majesty prayeth you to cause
convey to him this inclosed, otherwise to stay it until you hear from her
Majesty again. With my next I shall do of my best to satisfy you touching
the other characters. God have you in protection.

" Of July the 22nd. Curle, Chartley."

Curie to Barnaby. (Vol. xviii,, n. 57. In cipher, with decipher by Phelippes.')
'* Sir, — This afternoon, having received your letters of the 25th of this
instant, and let her Majesty see the same wholly deciphered, which hath not a
little augmented the good opinion she had conceived before of your affection
towards God's cause and hers, she hath commanded me hereby to give you.
her right hearty thanks therefore, and to pray you in her name, until farther
occasion shall be offered to employ you otherwise, that you will continue in
occurrences as you promise and now have done, and to make this inclosed be
surely delivered in the hands of Anthony Babington, if he be come down in
the country. Otherwise that if it be kept still in yours or your brother's until
Babington his arrival, or set an [?] ten days, within which time her Majesty
intendeth to have a packet ready to be sent unto the French Ambassador by
your boy, who by the same means may also carry the other to Babington at
London, if he went down home. Herewith is the addition to this alphabet,
and so I pray God to preserve you.
" Of July the 27th. Curle."

Barnes was put into the Tower for a short time, but without any intention
of bringing him to trial. The following letter it is hardly possible to look
on in any other light than as written to hide the fact that he had been
employed by Walsingham, and to justify his release from prison.

Barnes to Walsingham. (Vol. xxi., n. 26.)
** Right Honourable Sir, — "Whereas upon a certain blind conceit of the late
Queen of Scots' innocence in such matters as had or might have been imputed
to her, and the opinion of her unjust imprisonment, with hope of doing myself
good, both presently and in time to come, by doing her service in that
distressed state, being withal thereunto persuaded and enticed by my cousin,
Gilbert Gifford, I entered into this course of conveying letters unto her, I
most humbly confess and acknowledge my fault committed therein, and crave
pardon for the same. And as I protest before God that to be all and the

o

80 Sir A7mas Poulet,

very truth which hath passed that I have set down in writing, so if any way
I may by my service for the repairing in some part of that fault committed
serve your honour's turn by discovering or bringing to light any of their
treacherous intents towards the State hereafter which be fugitives or traitors
at home or abroad, I most humbly beseech your honour to accept of the
same, and I will be right glad to be employed therein, promising you by the
faith of a Christian, that I will truly, sincerely, and faithfully proceed therein
according to such direction as I shall receive from your honour, and do
renounce my part of Paradise if I do not discharge myself like an honest
subject in that behalf. In witness whereof I give this my handwriting for
a perpetual testimony against myself. Almighty God long preserve your
honour in health, wealth, and prosperity.

"London, this 17th of March, 1587.

**Your honour's most humble orator,

"Thomas Barnes.

^''Endorsed — To the right honourable Sir Francis Walsingham, knight,
principal secretary to her Majesty, and one of her Highness' most honourable
Privy Council, give these."

Page 257. — The earliest record that we have of Gilbert GiflTord is the
entry in the Douay Diary, stating that he and his uncle, William Gifford,
the Dr. Gifford of this correspondence, arrived at the College in 1582, the
one to teach theology, the other logic. "Venerunt Roma hoc anno 1582
D. Gulielmus Giffordus ut S. Theologiam hie doceret, et cum illo Gilbertus
Giffordus, qui logicam et philosophiam docere coepit."

It may be interesting to give some further extracts from the letter that
Gifford wrote to Phelippes from Paris as soon as he received a cipher in which
to write. The profanity of the letter is singular, and so is the reference to
"men of my coat," or cloth, according to more modern phrase, of which,
indeed, he was no ornament.

Gifford to Phelippes. (Vol. xx., n. 45. In Phelippes' hand.)
** I know not which way to turn me nor how to answer yours, but I perceive
the ancient speech will be verified in me, that betwixt both I shall lose both,
as commonly men of my coat do that deal, and bear sincere affection to
our Prince. Pardon me if I speak boldly, for by God you touch me near,
and though I should lose all the friends I have in the world, by God it is
nothing in respect of that wherein most unjustly either you suspect or accuse
me, wherein I defy all the world ; and, by Jesus Christ, if there be any man
alive accuseth me therein, I will be in England if I die a thousand times,
either to purge myself before the world or to die ignominiously. . . .

" When Morgan examined me secretly touching the parties that conveyed
letters, I was forced to name two, whereof Barnes was one, and for that
purpose I dealt with Barnes, never thinking, as Christ Jesus save me, but to
make him a colour for Emilio, and his writing once or twice would cause all
blame to be removed from myself when things should be opened, which I
knew must needs be shortly, and so in truth it is fallen forth, and otherwise
it had been impossible to have continued, but as God is my witness, I thought
to have withdrawn him after that Morgan fully perceived that the convoy was
5ure ; and one thing I will tell you, if you handle the matter cunningly, Barnes
may be the man to set up the convoy again for Paget, and Morgan be never

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 381

in rest inquiring for him. I have feigned as though the matter were irre-
cuperable, and therefore I have speculated upon the point.

**If you have Barnes, keep him close ; if you have him not, I would you
had him in your hands. However it be, either bring him by promise or fear
to write to Morgan, or if you have him not, feign his hand to me. Mis-
name was Pietro Mariani. Write by the name of Pietro Mariani, discoursing
of the whole success, and that, as chance was, your name never came in
question, and that now is time to begin again, which they desire beyond
measure, and no doubt they will take hold of it, for they are about another
practice I assure you, and I pray you use Emilio no more. Let him be one
of those that were hanged, for before God they will suspect. After you have
written to me they will leap for joy. I cannot devise any better course, and
it is unpossible but it should hit. I know they burn. Paget hath written
to me twenty times. I show myself unwilling. But when you have written
I will stir them. Besides, if Cordaillot be there, tell him I left word with
you to send me two doublets and two pair of hose, which I left with him at
my departure, and a cloak and other little things. If he be not there speak
to Peter Francis and desire him to deliver them, and I pray you send them
to Thomas Evans, who is a good simple instrument.

"... The greatest cause of my going away was that I feared to be
brought to witness some matters concerning the Scottish Queen face to face.
. . . Besides that I knew not what they had written of me to the Scottish
Queen. Perhaps they might have spoken to her some things in my com-
mendation which might justly have bred jealousy in your head and yet I
nothing in fault. And if all this will not persuade you of my innocency, let
Mr. Secretary send for me in without any further warrant, and I will come
in, and howsoever it be, there is no man alive that knoweth my heart to her
Majesty and Mr. Secretary, and then God confound me when I leave to
honour him. And albeit he would command me silence, if I could by any
means pleasure or serve him otherwise, I would do it till death.

"... I know Savage thought I had detected him, with whom I kept
compan;j^ in truth only for that he was one of the best companions. . . .

"What as Morgan should say that D. Gifford meant not to deal sincerely
with Mr. Secretary. I never doubted it but that he would not, and so always-
I told you, only in truth against those others they are and meant sincerely.
But I told you still that my credit could no otherwise have been kept but
by pursuing the matter. And as for Ballard, Christ confound me if ever
Gratley, Paget, Dr. Gifford, or Morgan, or any in the world, talked to me
of him on this side, and if ever I had any other acquaintance with him or
knew him otherwise than man I never saw. Wherefore I told them that they
failed, not to make me privy thereof They told me it was for my safety, and
in truth Gratley and Morgan wrote to me expressly not to meddle with him,
which letters I sent to Mr. Secretaiy, and I think you saw them."

As the letters of Sir Edward Stafford, the Ambassador, to Walsingham
from Paris after the apprehension of Gifford throw great light on his relations
with Phelippes, it may be well in this place to extract more copiously from
them. The saddest revelation in these letters is the treachery of Sir Charles
Arundell, hitherto, as far as we are aware, unsuspected by the Catholics
(See, however, Murdin, p. 462). Cordaillot also, it seems, was no better than
Cherelles, and served as a means of communication, enabling Gifford in France

382 Sir Amias Poulet,

to send his letters to Walsingham or Phelippes in the French Ambassador's
bag. "Besides as I hear that he hath accused Cordaillot for the convoy
by the French Ambassador." Nau also was spoken of by Phelippes in a
compromising manner, "I hear besides now that Nau entereth to be a
party against him [Gifford] to clear himself of that which Phelippes writeth
of him, so that I am afraid it will be a great broil, and that the knave will
be instrument of whatsover they will have him. And yet when they have
all out of him that they desire, they will hang him if they can ; and I
think they will put him to a hard plunge," &c. {Domestic^ Addenda, Elizabeth,
vol. XXX., n. 69, January 7, I58|-),

The two letters {Ibid., nn. 53, 55) from which the following extracts are
taken were written a few days earlier than that last quoted. They are worth
printing, for such a sentence as this speaks volumes — "I am promised if
there be any means possible to get the letter of Phelippes, wherein the chief
things be that may call anything in question. If I could get that, the chiefest
things be in it ; if he were hanged for the rest it were not a halfpenny matter."

Sir Edioard Staffoj-d to Sir Francis Walsingham. Paris, Dec. \^, 1587.
"I stayed this" bearer hoping still to recover into my hands certain papei's
and coffers that have been taken in Gilbert Gifford's chamber, after he had
been taken with an English quean . . . and with them also was taken one
Cotton. . . . This was done upon Friday last, and I had warning of it by
Charles Arundell that day, and that there are letters that Phelippes writ to
him and a notable cipher that Phelippes sent him, and certain letters that
they have intercepted any time this month or six weeks which he writ to
Mr. Phelippes, which they have deciphered with the cipher. It is told me
that things [are] discovered of the death of the Queen of Scots and the
apprehension of the gentlemen that were executed, and things which they
think to make their profit greatly of to her Majesty's dishonour. I have
done what I can to have them into my hands, and Arundell laboured to
get all, and assured [me] upon Friday I should have them the next day,
or it should cost him his life." But Arundell fell ill and died. "So that
now I cannot tell which way to go about it to have them, for, as I hear
say, the Vicar-General of the Bishop of Paris [Rome by error in the Calen-
dar], by these knaves means, hath laid his authority upon him because he
is a Priest, which maketh me afraid that I shall not get them now, and
that I shall hardly get him out, which I dare work all the means I can
and will spare for nothing. And if I can and he will, I will find means
to send him into England, for if he were away, what letters soever be taken
there [could] be said to be counterfeit, but if he be here to avow them by
constraint, they will make their profit of them greatly. They say they find
that by Phelippes' mean he kept intelligence with her Majesty. I have set
divers ways to have him spoken withal, to give him warning of the taking of
his papers which he knoweth not yet, and to give him warning to keep his
tongue, which is but too lavish, and not to bewray himself, and also to see
if he can find any means to get out himself any way. I hope to-morrow
some of them I have set about it will find some means to speak with him,
for to-day is Christmas Day here, and is not possible to do it. If it had
pleased God to send the poor gentleman [Charles Arundell], I could have
done well enough, but I do not think he will live till to-morrow morning.
Look sir, I pray you, whom you trust, for Without doubt it hath been written

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, 383

hither, and they that have writ it have writ that they had it from you, that
Anindell made a packet of Charles Paget's be brought to me, and that I
sent it you, and all that I writ to you of Paget's and Morgan's being in evil
predicament with the Spanish Ambassador, for it was shewed him written."

"Sir, — I writ to your honour the last day of the taking of the Priest
GifFord, for whom I have done what I could to help [him] any way out, I did
not care how, if that he had not discovered himself and me, thinking to save
himself and to get thereby favour and friendship in discovering that I offered
him favour and that he refused it. It may be I might have helped him, for
I would have spared nothing for that purpose, because his examination I am
afraid and his confession (for I see he will confess anything that is and more
than is) may give subject to the enemies of her Majesty to procure a
scandalous opinion to be conceived of her and of her Council, for they
mean to turn a letter or two, but especially one of Phelippes to him, to
prove that he was the setter on of the gentlemen that were executed for that
enterprise of the Queen of Scots, and then to discover them, and that he was
practised to this by you and Phelippes, and withal, they would fain have it,
with her Majesty's knowledge.

" They have made the Queen-Mother acquainted with this, and she hath
commanded the lieutenant-criminal to make the King acquainted with it, and
then she hath promised she will follow it, and the Bishop of Glasgow meaneth
to enter into it, and Madam Montpensier will put fire to it, who is the devil
of the world, so that as he hath now handled the matter, I know not in the
world how to deal in it, for they lie but at wait to find if any way I deal in
it, to take hold fast of it to make me a party, and to have as the Queen's
Minister intelligence with him in those causes to make the matter more odious,

"And in this time he hath showed himself the most notable double
treble villain that ever lived, for he hath played upon all the hands in the
world. I have sent you the copy of his answers, whereof I have the originals
with his own hand, whereby you may see how vilely he dealt with me, to say
that the billet was safe, and by word of mouth sent me word that it was burnt,
when it was shewed me by one that gave me warning of all, and gave me
warning afore his letter came to me, that I should receive such a letter from
him, to demand of me to send Grimston or somebody to him to get him a
procureur, which was a thing he was made to do of the nonce, that as soon as
ever any of mine came with a promrmr, he should be seized upon to know
what interest I had in him and his cause, to have made me a party ; which he
failed not to do to serve their turns as you may see by his letter to me, and
when he saw I could not be got to do that, but sent him word that I could
not deal that way, but sent him some money for God's sake that he might
not starve, and did offer to perform anything that he should promise to one
could help him to make a scape, he conferred that with them too, and then
they invented another way to take me withal, that he should send unto me
that if he could get caution he should be let out, and that he had found an
honest Catholic gentleman to avow the caution, because I should not be a
dealer in it ; which, as by his letter you may see that he performed to catch
me in a trap ; but as God would have it, I had warning of it and did it not,
and have therefore plainly given over dealing with him.

** It is a common saying, sir, that it is a simple thing that there is nothing
picked out of, nor an evil wind bloweth nobody good, as his knavish dealing

384 Sir Amias Poulet,

some would have served their turns of it to my affront and the discredit of her
Majesty, so some others that loved me, thinking that I could not leave any-
thing undone in respect what consequence his getting out was for the public
service, and fearing lest I should do the public no good but myself for my own
private harm, have, to incense me against him, thinking that would make me
colder, found means to come by his letters he writ to Phelippes with his own
hand, which I have seen with my eyes within these two days, the most
villainous against me and all mine that could be in the world, whereof I am
promised to have the copies, where in one of them are these words, ' I cannot
directly (as I take it) answer you, but I am sure it is. I cannot directly say
the Ambassador is a naughty man, but probably I can say it, for the haunting
with Charles Arundell, the greatest traitor on this side the seas, is a proof.
He speaketh evil, and all his men be naught,' and a great many things more
which I do not remember. And withal I saw a copy of Phelippes' letter to
him, whereby he eggeth him to write of me.

** Besides, the villain, to make them believe that he had done service with
his dealing in England to the cause here, and to show that he went about to
cozen her Majesty (for he braggeth he dealt with her directly by Phelippes'
mean, and that you had most of things but by second hand) and to take away
the credit that might be given to me or any [of] mine that might inform her
from hence, he had so discredited me and mine that we were taken for worse
or as bad as any that they counted traitors on this side the seas ; for having
found commandment of you (for so he afifirmeth it) and direction of Phelippes
to inquire diligently of me and my actions, and finding that I was a shy child
(for so, I thank him, he termed me) and that under colour of fair speeches and
courteous usage of all men, I did nothing but draw wires out of their noses to
know all and then to advertise it, to undo them on this side, and to hang as
many as I could of the other side. . . .

*' It shall be seen to my disgrace what a mistrust is made of me at home,
what reputation I live in there and what credit I have, when such persons as
Phelippes is, is countenanced to set such farther varlets as this is to look into
my actions. I promise you I am so much grieved withal and so ashamed
of my hard fortune, as with all my heart I rather wish to be dead than live.
I do what I can to cover it the best that I can, both in the respect of mine
own credit, but especially in respect of that which may touch her Majesty in
opinion by these letters, for though I will do what I can to get as many of
the originals as I can into my hands both of Phelippes' (if it be any way
possible), and of the other knave's letters too ; both [but] to them that show
them, I have and will affirm they be things counterfeit that they avow to be
Phelippes', and the others to be letters written by consent and practice of
knaves here, to have them to be surprised and to lean men's judgments [on]
occasions to think amiss both of her Majesty and of all her Ministers, which
is the best course that I know for me to take now that there is no remedy,
and that I can deal no more to get the knave out ; because he hath betrayed
me, thinking to help himself, but indeed he hath betrayed himself, for they
will go near to make it cost him his life, for they have sent all copies of things
to the Cardinal, and press him to make the Pope write to the King of it to
use all extremity, and my Lord Paget and his brother, and others that he hath
touched in his letters, follow it to the uttermost for theii own credit. I am
promised if there be any means possible to get the letter of Phelippes wherein
the chief things be that may call anything in question. If I could get that,

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 385

the cliiefest things be in it ; if he were hanged for the rest it were not a
halfpenny matter. If Charles Arundell had either not fallen sick as he did,
or had lived I had had all, though he say he be cause of this harm of his. I
can assure you I had had them, and of him he is dead and gone, I will say to
you in truth, and one day I will make you plainly see it, there was no man of
this side served my turn as he did, for her Majesty's service, and never Spanish
Ambassador nor his master were better handled. And if I do not make you
see it and confess it one day, never give credit to anything I say to you again.
I have had a great loss of him, for the certainest and quickest advertisements
out of Spain I had of him, for the Spanish Ambassador had that credit in him
as he hid nothing that was reasonable from him. He had continually letters
from Sir Francis Englefield and Pridiox, whose letters I ever saw afore he
deciphered them. And to tell you that I found him not dally with me was
that the advertisements that he gave me \A'ere ever confirmed unto me in the
same sort he gave them me, by those letters that come to the Venice
Ambassador, and the advertisements that B. sent me as they came from their
agent. For the rest it is not to be written of; you shall know it some day," &c.

The following extracts are taken from the letter of a Priest to Walsingham.
The departure of Henry C?esar from the College at Rheims is entered in the
Second Douay Diary on the 12th of February, 1582. As to the book against
Father Persons and the Society {supra, pp. 189, 219), the writer says that it
was "the occasion of Gifford's trouble in Paris and of Gratley's in Rome."
It was chiefly from Gratley's pen. One is sorry to see Gratley in such com-
pany as Gifford, as he is one of the Priests mentioned in the Life as well
as in the indictment of Philip, Earl of Arundel {Fourth Report of Deputy -
Keeper of Public Records, p. 279) ; but there was unhappily a suspicion among
Catholics that he had some share in the betrayal of the Earl. He was
accused also of retaining for his own use three thousand crowns sent through
him to Cardinal Allen by the Countess of Arundel. For a time after the
death of the Queen of Scots Gratley Avas an inmate of Cardinal Allen's
household, but being the cause of disturbances there he was sent away. He
betook himself to Padua, where, as a poor exiled Priest, he was kindly
received by the Bishop ; but his conduct again betraying him, he was by the
Pope's command sent back to Rome, where he was imprisoned in the Holy
Office for five years.

Henry Casar to Walsingham . Paris, Dec. 9, 1588. {Domestic, Addenda,
Elizabeth, vol. xxx., n. 120).

"Right Honourable, — Having understood by Mr. Good that your honour
was very desirous to understand the truth, as concerning Gilbert Gifford,
Priest, which hath been now a year in prison in Paris, in the Bishop's
prison. The truth is so, that to satisfy your honour I have taken pains
therein to know the truth thereof; and did pen it down as it was told me
by one of my own calling, by name William Nicolson, Priest, and greatest
companion with Gifford, qui mihi omnia verbatim retulit qiuv hie seqnnnttir.
Gifford being a Priest, lived in Paris, and was apparelled as our disguised
Priests are in England, whereat divers men were offended, and every man
spake his pleasure, but in especially miles Hispanicus ille, Sir Charles
Arundell, whom, indeed, Gifford did accuse to the Spanish Ambassador to

o

86 Sir AiJiias Poulet,

be an espie for her Majesty of England ; which thing Sir Charles Arundell
{(vgre ferens) never rested until such time as that he had brought the matter
to that pass whereat it is.

"Lily, alias Ambodester, being very familiar with Gifford, also with
Mr. Arundell, it was thought good by Sir Charles and his counsel, who
were one Doctor Piers, alias Skinner, and one Birket, a Priest, to fee
Lily, and so by his means to get at one time or another something to lay
against Gifford, and prove him an espie, as he had accused the other to be.
Lily being a fit man for the purpose, thought best to get that book that
your honour had, which was made by Grackley [Gratley] and Gifford
against the Jesuits, and as touching the authority of the Bishop of Rome,
which book hath been the occasion of Gifford's trouble in Paris, and of
Grackley's in Rome, the which book Phelippes, your man, did send unto
Lily. . . .

"Gifford, a little before his taking, did write a book against Dr. Allen's
book, which was made in the defence and maintenance of Sir William
Stanley's fact, in delivering up of Daventry into the Spanish hands. The
book Gifford delivered unto Lily, his trusty friend, to send unto your
honour, yet afterwards mistrusting of him, he demanded for to have the
book again. Lily did answer him that he had sent it unto your honour,
whereas indeed he had delivered it to Sir Charles Arundell. A most
wicked fact, and not only contented with this but adding to it, did intercept
of packets of letters, the which Gifford did send unto your honour and
others, being directed to Mr. Hugh Offley. All this aforesaid hath been
the cause of Gifford's long imprisonment, although the occasion of his first
takin^ was for that he was taken of a sudden in a suspected house. "

There is some mention of Gilbert Gifford's imprisonment and examination
in Paris in one of the Stonyhurst manuscripts, and as it has never before been
published, it is subjoined. It contains some interesting details, and gives the
feeling of all Catholics, both at the time and ever since, as to the true source
of the Babington plot. The "Bishop of Armacan," mentioned in it was
Richard Creagh, Archbishop of Armagh, of whom there is this testimony in
the State Papers {Domestic, Elizabeth, vol. clxxviii., n. 74). "1585, May 27.
Tower. Ri. Creaghe, a dangerous man to be among the Irish, for the reverence
that is by that nation borne unto him, and therefore fit to be continued in
prison."

" The matter of Babington was wholly of their plotting and forging, of
purpose to make Catholics odious, and to cut off the Queen of Scots. The
chief plotters were the Secretary, Leicester, and the Treasurer. Poley, the
Secretary's man, was the chief actor in it here in England. Gilbert Gifford,
by his own confession, their actor in it, both here and in France. Poley was
for a fashion put in the Tower, but liad what he would, and in the end,
having there poisoned the Bishop of Armacan with a piece of cheese that he
sent him, was let out, and is now in as great credit as ever, being as deeply to
be touched in all things, and as much to be proved against him as any that
were executed. He was continually with Ballard and Babington, he heard
Mass, confessed, and in all things feigned to be a Catholic, and still learned
his lesson of Mr. Secretary, whom they should draw into the plot, and what
plot they should lay, and what course they should take, that might best serve
the turn for which all this device was intended. He brought the copy of the

Keeper of Mary Qiceen of Scots. 387

letter penned by Mr. Secretary himself, or by his direction, that Babington
writ to the Queen of Scots, and upon which she was afterwards condemned
for having answered it as she did, Nau, her Secretary, and Curie, having been
by the same Secretary hired with seven thousand pounds to betray their
mistress, and it was found in a bill in his study after his decease, as hath been
credibly reported. Foley now liveth like himself, a notorious spy, and either
an atheist or an heretic.

"Also the same appeareth by Gilbert Gifford's letters to Philips the
decipherer, and Philips' also to Gilbert Gifford, who purposely was made
Priest, as he confessed, to play the Secretaiy's spy, and acknowledged he was
his chief instnuTient in this plot, and Philips' letters having been taken unto
him, wherein the same is most manifest. \In the margin. Inquire of this
point of Gilbert's examiners.]

*' Savage also being at the Court long before that any of the Council took
notice of the matter, was by the Queen herself pointed at, and two pensioners
commanded to have an eye unto him, that he should do her no harm, being
known to be one of the agents, and yet permitted to go free, because they had
not yet entrapped all they sought to bring in.

'* Also, one of Foley's principles was, as appeared by the gentlemen's
words and speeches at the bar, that none of the graver sort of Catholics, or
those that were esteemed wise, should have any notice of their intents, because
they doubtless would have smelled the fraud and train that was laid for them ;
but only young gentlemen, whose green heads and aspiring minds were easy to
be deceived, and apt to be induced into any high attempt. Yea, they had so
wrought Mr. Ballard, the Priest, that none of the same calling were acquainted
with his intent, they fearing that if the gi-aver Priests should have heard, they
would have found the deceit, and hindered the course that was intended to all
their undoings. As in truth it was easy for any that saw the raw device, and
more than childish folly, and so lavish talk of it, that the Protestants knew it
before Catholics, and the actors, long before their apprehension, pointed at in
the streets of London, and yet not touched, until the matter was brought to
that pass to which the Council would have it come.

"While Gilbert Gifford was in England he had continual access and
intercourse with the Secretary Walsingham, and in being in danger of the
laws, because he was deacon, went, nevertheless, at full liberty without fear ;
and when he went over, it was of purpose to set forward this action, and from
thence he continually writ to Philips, and received letters from him ; and I
guess Ballard was by his means, and with his instructions, sent into England.
\In the margin. Inquire of this point.]

"At the same time Mr. Martin Array, having been released and to
go over sea, being by a round sum bought from the shambles, he desired
of Mr. Secretary some twenty days to despatch his business. Whereat the
Secretary pausing, *No,' saith he, *you shall have but fourteen; for within
the time you require, the coasts would be too hot for you.' As in truth it fell
out, for about that time was Babington's matter disclosed by the Council,
watch and ward kept everywhere, and much fear showed where it was all
prevented, and an ugly matter made against Catholics of a drift of their own
devising. Which showeth who was the author of all this device, knowing it
long before, and yet furthering it until their end was achieved, and all things
ripe to reveal their own plot as the Catholics endeavour, who in truth were
least acquainted with it.
Z 2

2,SS Sir Amias Pottlet,

"Justice Young, and higher magistrates, as Tyrrell himself confessed
xmder his hand and oath (for he most deeply avoweth it in his letter to the
Queen), bade him say Mass, hear confessions, and minister Sacraments, so in
the end he told them what, and to whom he had done it, so seeking to entrap
folks, and making men to break their own laws of purpose to draw them into
their penalties.

"Their spies, as namely, Burden, Baker, Vachel, have pretended themselves
to be Catholics, and that by the warranties and advice of their superiors. They
have heard Mass, confessed, and received, only of purpose to discover Catholics
and to entrap them" [Stonykicrst MSS., Angl. A., vol. i., n. 70, circ. 1592).

Since the foregoing sheet of A^oks was printed, the Editor has, by the
kindness of the Archbishop of Westminster, been permitted to examine the
Douay Diaries, and in the Second the dates are entered with precision. They
are here given, with some additional and interesting details.

Gifford's first admission into the College, which w^as then at Rheims, is
thus noticed under the date of January, 1577, N.S. : "31° die Gilbertus
GifFordus, clarus adolescens, prius ad aliquot menses in Collegio Aquicinc-
tensi convictor, ad nostra communia est admissus."

He was sent to Rome in 1579 to the English College, where his name
is the twenty-third in the list of the students. The name of Edward Gratley
is not far from his. The Douay Diary incidentally mentions his being at
Rome when recording the arrival at Rheims of his brother George, on the
24th March, 1580 : " Eodem die nuper ex Anglia commigrantes, Lutetia
Parisiorum, duce Ric. Hargraves, ad banc urbem advolarunt duo nobili genere
oriundi adolescentes, viz., Georgius Giffordus, Gilberti frater, qui in Seminario
Romas vivit, et Jo. Wolsleius, qui ad mensam nostram statim admissi sunt."

We learn from the Relatione del Collegio Inglese (March 14, 1596) that
Gifford's perversion was due to the influence of Solomon Aldred, a married
man who was then in Rome, and who is doubtless the Aldred mentioned by
Phelippes in his letter to Walsingham, March 19, I58| {supra, p. 157). At
first he earned his bread as a tailor, and at the intercession of Dr. Owen
Lewis, afterwards Bishop of Cassano, obtained a pension of ten crowns from
Pope Gregory XIII. He went to England, where he was taken into
Walsingham's service, and passed to and fro between England and Rome,
until on his third journey, having reached Bologna, he there learned that
Cardinal Allen was at Rome, and if after this he revisited Rome, it was
in secret. He was believed to have had secret service money placed at
his disposal by Walsingham, and one of the first of the students of the
English College whom he gained over was Gilbert Gifford.

The same paper informs us that one of Gilbert's first exploits in early life,
before he came to Rome, was a challenge to a schoolfellow to fight a duel.
The character given of him in the Roman College is just what we should
have expected from his after conduct : "In hoc collegium admissus ut subdolo
erat ingenio, egregia simulatione pudorem et modestiam primo mentitus est."
Finding himself strongly supported by friends outside the College, he laid
aside his modest demeanour, and soon brought upon himself a sentence of
expulsion. From this dates his ill will to the Jesuits and to Cardinal Alien.
In the sense of the narrative here given, the statement made in the body of
this book {supra, p. 143) must be understood that "Gilbert Gifford had no
Jesuit training, and that the Order never had anything to do with him."

Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots. 389

After his ejection from the English College he lived for a time at Rome
with the friends he had made ; and the next mention we have of him is that
already quoted from the First Douay Diary, which tells us that he and
William Gififord arrived at the College at Rheims in 1582, the one to teach
theology, the other logic. The exact date is given us by the Second Diary,
which says, "Junius, 1582 : 23° die Roma ad nos venerunt D. Guil, Giffordus,
presbyter, et D. Gilbertus Giffordus alterius cognatus."

If there is no error in the dates or names this restless soul cannot have
held his school of logic long, for the Second Douay Diary has the entry on
September 13, 1583 : "Venerunt Roma D. Gib. Gifford et Ric. Bradshawe."

We next find his name in the Diary as ordained at Rheims, Subdeacon,
on March 16, 1585, and Deacon on the Saturday before Passion Sunday,
April 6, by the Cardinal of Guise in the Church of St. Remigius. His
departure from the College is noted on the 8th of October in the same year.
Apart from his hostility to the Jesuits, "on the business of which Order"
Mr. Froude imagines Gifford to have "travelled" {supra p. 143), there was
little time for such journeys, for Morgan's letter to the Queen of Scots,
stating that "there was of late with him one Gilbert Gifford," is dated the
15th of that same month of October {supra, p. 112). The statement {supra,
p. 144) requires correction that he was in Paris in the summer of 1585, for
he was then at Rheims in the College.

The precise date of his ordination to the priesthood we learn from the
Second Douay Diary, in the year 1587, "Post Dominicam Lcetare, sabbato
.sequente, viz. 14 Martii, ad Presbyteratum evecti sunt D. Gilb. Gifford, diocesis
Lichfeldensis," &c.

According to the Relatione, Gifford's plan was to return to Rome and to
obtain a professorship in the schools of the Sapienza, and so form a position of
influence to be able to watch and interfere with the students of the English
College. Meanwhile he took to Walsingham the book written by Gratley
and himself against the Jesuits, "pretending no other errand," as Phelippes
wrote to Walsingham {siipra, p. 219); and then on his return to Paris, the
executions for the Babington. conspiracy and the death of the Queen of Scots
awakening suspicion against him, he was watched and apprehended under
the disgraceful circumstances described by the English Ambassador. The
same Relatione says that before his death he wrote to Cardinal Allen a full
narrative of the harm done by him to the Cardinal and the Jesuits. It adds
that in a letter to Walsingham, written and intercepted just before his arrest,
he stated that he had obtained ordination that he might the better hide his
dealings with Elizabeth's Minister.

Page 272. — ^John Savage in his confession said that the six conspirators
who were to assassinate Elizabeth were "Robert Barnwell, Chideock Tichborne,
Anthony Tychinor, Thomas Salisbury, as I think, and myself— Mr. Abington,
I am not able to touch him."

The following passages in the same confession are interesting. Gifford
considered that Savage thought that he had "detected," that is betrayed him.

"That there is one of the guards about the said Queen of Scots, a brewer
by occupation, that is corrupted to convey letters unto her from whomsoever
they come, and that by the means of Gilbert Gifford she had intelligence
of the French Ambassador.

"//^///, that there is one Thomas Barnes, a Warwickshire man, that Gilbert

,90 Sir Amias Poulef,

Gifford left in his stead to take such letters as came to the French Ambas-
sador's hands for the Queen of Scots, and carry them to the said brewer,
to be delivered to the Queen, and to stay for the Queen's answer, which
was transported by the Ambassador's means.

^^ ItejH, that Gilbert Gifford had often conference with Richard Gifford,
brother to George Gifford, and that the said Richard was pri^7• to this vowed
attempt by his brother George against her Majesty, as Gilbert told me"
{Cotton. MSS., Caligula, C. ix., f. 374, 376).

The Queen's evidence against Gilbert Gifford, here given, induced his
father, John Gifford, to write the following letter to Phelippes, which puts
before us in lively colours the wretched state to which the Catholics were
reduced, when a country gentleman was obliged to write in such terms to
such an agent of the Government as Phelippes. Dodd introduces his Life
of William Gifford, Archbishop of Rheims {Church History^ vol. ii.,
p. 358), by this mention of the family: *'The Giffords were Counts of
Longueville in Normandy before the Conquest, and afterwards enjoyed the
title of Earl of Buckingham, being persons of gi-eat note and very large
possessions, in all the succeeding reigns. In the Conqueror's days Osbert
Gifford was master of several lordships, but the chief seat of the family
appears to have been at Brinsfield in Gloucestershire. A branch or the chief
heir of the family, by marrying an heiress, obtained a plentiful estate at
Chillington in Staffordshire." The position that Mr. Gifford of Chilling-
ton occupied in the county is shown by a commission from the Queen,
dated October 27, 1570, addressed to Sir Thomas Cockayne, Sir George
Blount, Richard Bagot, and John Gifford, to decide on a contention
respecting a highway and a watercourse, between Lord Paget and William
Gresley {Do?iicstic, Addenda, Elizabeth, vol. xix., n. 18). His name is here
associated with those with which, in the course of these letters, we have
become familiar.

John Gifford to Phelippes. (Vol. xix., n. loi.)

" Sir, — I have written to my unfortunate son. I would God he had never
been born. I may well say, Happy is the barren, that hath no child. I pray
you peruse it, and pen it to your liking, and send it to me and I will write
it up. I thank you for your letter, which did somewhat comfort me, but
hearing by report of Savage his confession, how far he toucheth him in
practice and generally at his names, I cannot but be very sorrowful. And
in truth [it] hath cast me into [a] fit of an ague, but I heartily pray you to
request Mr. Secretary for me that Savage and other moe [more] be examined
whether they were privy of Gilbert's being left in London, whether he were in
my company since his going from me before Easter, and what the cause was
he kept himself secret from me ; and further, as his honour shall think good,
that either I may live in his honour's good favour, or be punished for mine
offences. I beseech you that this may be before Savage die, unless their
honours have searched so far before this time, and rest satisfied. Thus,
resting upon your friendship, [I] do desire you to have consideration of me
as you think best.

"Islington, this 14th of September.

"Your assured friend to his power,

"John Gifford.

Keeper of Mary Qziee^i of Scots. 391

*'I pray you have good consideration whether it be not dangerous for me
to write to him, standing indicted."

Addressed — "To his. very good friend, Thomas Phelippes, Esq., these be
delivered with speed."

It will be seen that there is a concurrence of testimony between the
Stonyhurst paper, Chateauneuf's Memoir, the confession of Savage, and
the State Papers here given, that Gifford was a mover in Babington's con-
spiracy. His name was carefully kept out of the printed accounts, for
naturally enough Walsingham did not wish the part that he had taken to
be made known.

Page 305. — The Journals of the House of Lords give but scanty informa-
tion respecting these Sessions, but enough is recorded to show us who the
four Bishops were, and also to let us see that no scruple was entertained by
the Lords Spiritual, who were willing to take part in petitioning for the
death of the Queen of Scots. It would appear that Elizabeth would not
allow them to do so. The Bishop of London was John Elmer ; of Winchester,
Thomas Couper ; of Durham, Richard Barnes ; and of Worcester, Edmund
Freak.

"On the 7th day of this instant month of November, while the Lords
were in consultation about the great matter of the Queen of Scots, the chief
and only cause of the summons of this Parliament, they of the Commons
House came up and desired conference with some of the Lords of this House,
what number it should please their lordships to appoint touching the said
great cause, which, as they affirmed, had been opened and declared unto
them ; whereupon the Lords made choice of these Lords following, viz. :
the Archbishops of Canterbuiy and York, the Lord Burghley, Lord Treasurer,
the Earl of Derby, Lord Steward, the Earls of Northumberland, Kent,
Rutland, and Sussex, the Bishops of London, Durham, Winchester, and
Worcester, the Lord Howard, Lord Admiral, the Lord Hunsdon, Lord
Chamberlain, the Lords Cobham, Gray, Lumley, Chandos, Buckhurst,
Delaware, and Norreys ; and to attend the said Lords, the Lord Chief
Justice of the Common Pleas, the Lord Chief Baron, and Justice Gawdie.
The place and time of their meeting was in the outer Parliament Chamber,
that afternoon, at two of the clock ; and after often meetings and long
conferences had, they agreed upon a form of petition, which by both the
Houses should be presented unto her Majesty, and that choice should be
made of a certain number of either House to prefer the same unto her
Highness ; which being reported to this House, the Lords liked very well
thereof, and thereupon made choice of these Lords following, videl. : the
Lord Chancellor, the Lord Treasurer, the Lord Great Chamberlain, the
Lord Steward, the Earls of Northumberland, Kent, Rutland, Sussex,
Pembroke, and Hertford, the Lord Admiral and Lord Chamberlain, the
Lords Abergavenny, Zouche, Morley, Cobham, Gray, Lumley, Chandos,
Buckhurst, Delaware, and Norreys ; and they of the Commons House
-appointed their Speaker, and all such of that House as were of the Privy
Council, and so many others of that House as in all, with the said Privy
Council, made up the number of forty-two persons, to join with the said
Lords. And they altogether, understanding first her Majesty's pleasure for
the time of their repair to her Highness' presence, which Avas signified to

392 Sir Aniias Poidet.

be on Saturday, the I2th day of November, on which day the Lord Chancellor,
in the name of the Lords, and the Speaker, in the name of the Commons,
declared unto her Majesty that both the Lords and Commons, after often
conferences and long consultation, had concluded to be humble suitors unto
her Majesty by way of petition ; the effect whereof was then at good length
opened unto her Majesty by the Lord Chancellor and Speaker, and the
petition thereupon delivered unto her Majesty in writing."

Queen Elizabeth's oracular answer to the petition is well known.

"If," said her Highness, "I should say unto you that I mean not to
grant your petition, by my faith, I should say unto you more than perhaps
I mean ; and if I should say unto you that I mean to grant your petition,
I should then tell you more than is fit for you to know ; and thus I must
deliver you an answer answerless" {Journal of the House of Lords ^ 28 Eliz.,
p. 123).

Page 320, — The Earl of Leicester, who had written from Holland to
advise that Mary should be secretly removed by poison (Camden, Annales,
p. 444), had now returned home to assist Elizabeth in her deliberations.

Page 335. — Mary's question, "What did she with the French at New-
haven?" — that is Havre de Grace — is in allusion to Elizabeth's interference
in the civil war in France in 1562, when she had not only furnished money
and troops to the Prince of Conde, but had occupied Havre with an English
garrison. This was not the first time the question*had been put to Poulet.
Writing to Elizabeth from Paris, August 6, 1577, he describes a scene at
Court, where he endeavours, very ineffectually, to screen Elizabeth's notorious-
aid to the Huguenots during the civil war then in progress. Catharine de
Medicis cut short his protestations with the sharp rejoinder, " *Do you not
remember what the Queen, your mistress, did at Newhaven?' I answered
that I remembered well the time, but was ignorant of the occasions, which I
doubted not were very sufficient. "

ERRATA.

Page 4, line 2, for more than fifty letters not to be found in the Record
Office, read nearly forty Letters not to be found in the Record Office or the
British Museum. See p. vii.

Page 26, line 28, for bloodhounds read buckhounds. See p. 106, note.

Page 99, line 7, for father read grandfather. -5"^' p. 252, note.

Page 143, line 2, for the Order never had anything to do with him, 7-ead
though he was for a time a student in the English College at Rome, which
was under the charge of Jesuit Fathers, he was expelled by them from the
College. See p. 388.

Page 144, line 13, dele Gifford. See p. 389.

The description of Sir Walter Aston's park at Standon has by error been
applied to his park at Tixall in the footnote on page 249, which note should
therefore be erased.

ALPHABETICAL INDEX.

Abergavenny, Lord 300.

Abington, Edward 272, 389.

Agar, George 158.

Agar, William 109, 136, 157.

Aldred, Solomon 156, 388.

Allen, Cardinal 168, 385, 386, 388.

AUyn, John, Walsingham's ser-
vant 252.

Alsopp, yeoman 46.

Ambodester 386.

Arden, Edward 353.

Arden, Francis 353.

Arnault, M. viii., 140.

Arran, Earl of 28, 71.

Array, Martin, priest 387.

Arthur, Walsingham's servant, 278.

Arundell, Sir Charles 168, 381,
382, 384, 385.

Arundel, Philip, Earl of 17, 385.

Aston, Lady 125.

Aston, Sir Walter 94, 98, 102, 103,
214, 249—252, 269, 270, 272,
273, 275, 277.

Aston, Lord 99.

Aston, Sir Edward 252, 264.

Athol, Countess of 92, 106.

Audley, Lord 186.

Audrey, the embroideress 82, 124.

Babington, Anthony 233, 235,

245, 256, 260, 341, 378, 379,

386; his conspiracy 116, 142,

143, 211 ; letters to Mary 209,

224, 283 ; Mary's letter to 149,

210, 223, 226, 234, 243, 280,
284.

Bacon, Francis i, 151, 152.

Bagot, Richard 23, 32, 58, 69, 93,

94, 97, 103, 108, 174, 180, 183,

214, 248, 251, 252, 269, 272,

275, 288, 290, 327, 328, 343,
364, 388.

Baker, spy 388.

Ball 117.

Ballard, John, priest 142 — 146,
219,221, 222,235,381,386,387.
Baltazar, tailor 298, 299, 366.
Barloe, priest 181.
Barloe, Lawrence, groom 298, 299.
Barnaby [Barnes] 118, 243, 376—

379-
Barnes, Thomas 116, 148, 149,

167, 209, 213, 216, 217, 219,

233, 239—243, 375, 379, 380,

381, 389.
Barnelms, Walsingham's house

34, 283, 285, 341.
Barnewell, Robert 260, 389.
Bayte, Peter 82.
Bayley, Dr. 209, 343.
Baynham, Mr. 32, 65, 66, 129.
Beale, Robert, secretary of Privy

Council xxix., 309, 3^2, 313, 365.
Beaudesert, Lord Paget's house

31,48,72,73,74,94.
Beauregard, Mrs., Mary's gentle-
woman 184, 298, 326, 346.
Bedford, Earl of 72.
Bellenden, Sir Louis, Justice

Clerk 27, 28.
Bencroft, John, coiner 60.
Berden, Nicholas, spy 168, 225

226, 236, 388.
Beresford, Anthony 374.
Bergerne xviii., xx.
Brewerton
Berry 372.
Birket, priest 385.
Blackbourne, John xxix.
Blackett, Dr. vi., 3, 4.
Blackwood, Adam 369, 370.
Blount, Christopher 118.
Blount, Father Richard, S.J. 374.
Blount, Sir George 388,
Blount, Walter 374.
Bold, Bryan 174, 180.

394

Alphabetical Index.

Bolton, Dukes of i.

Bouillon, Duke de xxvii.

Boulenger i86.

Bourgoin, Mary's physician 141,
184, 298, 370, 371.

Boutteryshe, Dr. xxxi.

Bowerman, William, Justice 355.

Bradshawe, Richard 389.

Braye, Catharine 299.

Brice, Hugh 22.

Bridges, Sir Egerton 288.

Brisac, Count 120, 163.

Bromley Park 48.

Bromley, Sir Thomas, Lord Chan-
cellor 286, 296, 307.

Brynkley, Stephen 168.

Buckhurst, Lord viii., 309, 312,
318,330,331,373.

Burghley, Lord High Treasurer,
Bacon's uncle i ; godfather to
Poulet's daughter 3, 186 ; his
plans 25 ; Mary trusts to his
favour 188, 235, 306 ; letters to,
from Davison 297, 302; from
Poulet {vide p. xli.) ; from Sad-
ler 4 ; letters from, to Davison
231, 296, 303, 305, 306; to
Poulet 272 ; to Walsingham 4,

297, 305-
Burton, Lord Paget's house at 31,

33, 48, 62, 63, 65, 73, 74, 178.
Burton, a brewer of 31, 33, 44,

128, 147, 189— 191, 195, 196,

209, 211, 388.
Butler, Elizabeth, laundress 299.
Buxton, Mary at 39.

Cade, John, Poulet's servant 160.

Caesar, Henry, priest 257, 385.

Caesar, Dr. 372.

Camden, William 236, 237, 257.

Campion, Fr.Edmund, S. J., martyr
150.

Cankwood 99.

Casimir, Duke xx., xxvii., xxx.

Castlehaye Park 45 — 47.

Cave, Bryan, Master of the House-
hold 50.

Cavendish, Henry 64; his ground
46 ; his house 47, 58, 63, 72—74,
82, 89; his servant 51; suspected
of favouring Mary 67 ; his
niece Elizabeth Pierrepont 176.

Cavendish, Lady Grace 64, 67, 125.

Cavendish, Sir Wilham 64.

Chandos, Duke of 358.

Chartley, Earl of Essex's house ;
choice of 94; low and unhealthy
105, 294; transfer to 120, 131 ;
Phelippes' visit to 123, 146, 218 ;
inaccessible 127 ; Gifford at
166; prices at 172; Mary's
health at 198 ; search at 253,
264, 288 ; Mary's papers taken
at 229, 237, 280, 287; her house-
hold left at 269, 298, 327, 364 ;
her return to 268, 271, 273.

Chateauneuf, see De I'Aubespine.

Ch^relles, secretary to the French
Ambassador 165 ; Mary's note
to 85 ; betrays his trust 86, 168,
381 ; visit to Mary 85, 92, 175 ;
communicates with Nau iir,
126, 166, 200 ; with Gifford
155 ; sends Mary beads and
pictures 170.

Chetwynd, Mr. 275, 276.

Clifton, Sir Gervase 177.

Cobham, Sir Henry 2.

Cotham, Fr. Thomas, S.J., martyr
150.

Cockayne, Sir Thomas 388.

Colerdin, Jacques [Gifford] 257,
258.

Colles, David 355.

Colls, John 69, 70.

Conde, Prince of 200, 389.

Copley, Lady 374.

Cordaillot, secretary to French
Ambassador i64,:2i6, 256, 257,

345, 381.

Cornellys, Nicholas [Gifford] 150,
193, 225.

Cotton, Sir Robert 375.

Cotton 382.

Courcelles, French Ambassador in
Scotland 223, 224, 263, 282.

Coventry 'j'j, 80, 81.

Coxe, Rev. H. O. vi.

Cradocke, Mr. 66.

Creagh, Richard, Archbishop of
Armagh 386.

Cruse, Mr. 321, 343.

Curie Barbara 1 84, 298 ; her mar-
riage 107, no. III; birth of
her child 135 ; child baptized
by Mary 276 ; writes to Wal-
singham 309 ; asks to be sent
to London 366 ; present at
Mary's funeral 372.

Curie, Elspeth or Elizabeth 184,
298, 367, 371.

Alphabetical Index.

395

Curie, Gilbert, Mary's secretary
184, 211, 232, 237, 280; accom-
panies Mary 53; her messenger
to Poulet 60, 161, 169, 205 :
communicates with Gifford 152,
193; with Barnes 239, 376; and
Emilio 242; his servant 179;
arrested 118, 249, 253, 255;
accusations against 229, 259,
387; attestations bv 118, 231,
283.

D'Alencon, Duke xii.

Danet, John 4.

Darrell, Marmaduke, Master of
the Household, Clerk of the
Avery 138, 140, 215, 260, 276;
receives money for Mary 17 ;
in want of money 32, 58, 161,
173, 364; sent to view Nede-
wood Forest, 46 ; Mr. Gifford's
house, 99, 102 ; Fotheringay
279 ; takes inventory 54 ; gives
in his accounts 160, 171, 178,
182, 188, 367 ; coldly affected
to Mary 269 ; interview with
Mary 325 ; left at Fotheringay
after Mary's death 372.

Daventry 386.

U'Aumale, the Duke 15.

Davison, William, Secretary of
State 305 ; Burghley writes to
231, 296, 303, 305, 306 ; Poulet
to {vide p. xlii.) ; Waad to
344; writes to Phelippes 282;
to Burghley 297, 302 ; to Poulet

359.

De Civille, M. 263.

Dedier, panterer 298, 299.

De la Marre, Nicolas, Mary's
apothecary 298.

De la Mothe F^ndon, French
Ambassador in London xxix.,
24.

De I'Aubespine de Chateauneuf,
French Ambassador in London,
arrives, 25, 175 ; direct commu-
nication with Mary forbidden
92, 95 ; letters from Mary 84,
106, 120, 123, 188, 202, 223, 225 ;
to Mary 137, 161, 200, 292 ; to
Poulet 204, 215 ; his Memoir
129, 145, 164, 219, 256; sends
Mary her money 136, 291 ;
communicates with Gifford 153,
222, 243 ; with Poley 156 ; and

Emilio Russo 225 ; his wife 187;
audience with Elizabeth 262,
263, 323 ; his letters intercepted
282, 283.

De Laval, M. 200.

Delbena, Mazzini, xiii. — xvii., xxv.

De Mauvissiere, French Ambas-
sador in London ; sends Mary
her money 17, 102 ; letters be-
tween him and Mary 27, 38, 78,
83, 88, I02, III, 154; his inter-
view with Archibald Douglas
28 ; easier with Walsingham
than Chateauneuf 34, 92, 95 ;
leaves England25, 129.

De Medicis, Catharine, Queen
Mother xii. — xviii., xxvii., 383,

389.

Derby 'j'j.

Derby, Justices of 130, 131, 158,
159.

De Reaux 303.

D'Esneval, French Ambassador
in Scotland 166, 258, 259, 262,
265, 281, 282.

Destrappes, Chateauneuf's secre-
tary 354.

De Vigo, John 59.

Digby, Bridget 321, 343.

Douglas, Mr. 278.

Douglas, Archibald 28, 67, 75,
168.

Drake, Sir Francis 247.

Drury, Sir Drue, Poulet's assis-
tant 319; choice of 306, 308;
arrival at Fotheringay 23, 309 ;
interview with Mary 313, 317,
325, 331; praised by Mary 349;
refuses to act alone 351 ; repu-
diates assassination 362 ; prays
his recall 364.

Du Jardin, French Ambassador's
servant 256.

Dudley Castle iii.

Dudley, Edward Lord iii.

Du Prdau, Camille, Mary's chap-
lain 24, 57 ; called her reader
31, 184; not allowed to ac-
company Mary 60 ; his disguise
no; baptizes Bastian's child
135; Mary's almoner 162; called
by Walsingham valet de cJiam-
bre 181 ; removal rumoured
222 ; left to Poulet 260 ; sent
to Mr. Gresley's 269 ; restored
to Mary 326, 328; harmless

396

Alphabetical Index,

339) 347 ; taken from Mary
350; wishes to go to France
366; sworn not to say Mass
371 ; present at Mary's funeral
371.
Dyer, Sir Richard 309.

Edward, the 175.

Elizabeth, Queen, refuses Mary a
Priest 5 ; defends Poulet 6 ;
letters to, from Mary 24, 83, 88;
from Poulet 7, 312 ; writes to
Poulet 93, 255, 267, 295, 309;
her parsimony 58, 161, 173, 178,
187, 364 ; delays Chateauneuf's
first audience 175 ; another au-
dience 262, 263 ; instructions
to Lord Shrewsbury 247 ; to
Poulet 5, 53, 253, 286 ; and to
Walsingham 259 ; her speech
to Parliament 266, 392 ; forbids
sentence at Fotheringay 295 ;
complains she is not informed
of details 302 ; desires Mary's
assassination 358.

Ellis, Captain 225.

EUis, Sir Henry 370.

Elweys, Ralph 70.

Emilio 239 — 243.

Englefield, Sir Francis 166, 168,
187, 244, 284, 385.

Ensor, Richard 174, 180, 181.

Essex, Earl of 31, 94, 95, 98, loi,
196.

Eton, Mr. 46.

Etwall 76.

Evans, Thomas 381.

Exeter 355.

FiTZHERBERT, Thomas 168.

Fitzmaurice xxiii.

Foljambe, Godfrey 22, 166, 168.

Fontenay 85, 106.

Foster, Alice, laundress 299.

Foster 154.

Fotheringay Castle 84 ; choice of
273, 286, 287 ; weakness of 275,
303 ; Mary removed to 293 ;
trial at 295 ; execution at 365.

Foxley [Gratley] the priest 189,
219.

France, King of 84, 348, 370.

Francis, Peter 381.

Froude, Mr.; his statements about
Mary's enchantments 18; Sir
Drue Drury 23 ; Nau 41 ; Phe-

lippes 1 1 7, 223 ; Gilbert Gifford
142, 219; the Jesuits 143, 148,
150; Ballard 142, 219; Walsing-
ham's plot 146, 147 ; the agents
employed 86, 190 ; Mary's vio-
lence 27, 274 ; her correspon-
dence 127, 167, 220 ; her health
198 ; her letter to Babington228 ;
the postscript 236 ; Mary's guilt
231 ; her return to Chartley 273 ;
seizure of her letters 288 ; Ehza-
beth's proposal to assassinate
her 359; Mary's dress at her
execution 368 ; and other de-
tails 370.

Gerard, Father John, S.J. 76,
258, 353-

Gerard, Sir Gilbert 76.

Gerard, Sir Thomas 22, 76, 'j'], 80.

Germyn, Thomas [Morgan] 150,
193, 225.

George, Melville's servant 298,
299.

Gervais, Mary's surgeon 298, 325.

Gifford, George 388.

Gifford, Gilbert, spy ; his family
112, 390 ; his College life
388 ; introduced to Mary by
Morgan 115; arranges corres-
pondence 127, 141 — 151 ; his
movements 164, 211, 218 — 224;
spy on other spies 191, 195 ;
suspected by Poulet 193 ; his
letter to Walsingham 220 ; to
'Phelippes 217, 225, 242, 380;
letter to, from Morgan 225 ; his
cipher 239, 377; Barnes' cousin
241, 379 ; goes to France 256 ;
ordained Priest 257, 389; im
prisoned 257, 382 ; dies in
prison 258.

Gifford, John 98, 99, 103, 104, 145,

390-
Gifford, Robert 112, 113.
Gifford, Richard 388.
Gifford, Dr.WiUiam 223, 278, 380,

381, 389.
Glasgow, Archbishop of, Mary's

Ambassador in France 21, 93,

95, 144, 151, 166, 187, 188, 195,

229, 230 235, 375, 383.
Godwyn, John 180.
Good, Mr. 385.
Gorge, Thomas 252, 255, 261, 262,

264, 269, 271, 288, 293.

Alphabetical Index.

397

Gratley, alias Foxley, priest 189,
219,223,278,381,385,388,389.

Gresley, Thomas 58, 59, 103, 251,
269, 275, 326, 328, 339, 366.

Gresley, Mrs. 125.

Gresley, William 390.

Gray, Master of 26, 27, 71, 168.

Grimston 383.

Guaras, Antonio de xxx.

Guernsey 54, 132, 294.

Guise, Cardinal of xxix., 389.

Guise, Duke of 25, 30, 39, 79, 84,
151, 167, 230, 336, 354.

Gwyn, Edward Prideaux 358.

Racket, Michael, Burghley's
secretary 266.

Hackshaw, Robert, Poulet's ser-
vant 198, 367.

Hamerlyn, turnbroche 298.

Hamilton, Lord Claude 154, 163,
223, 224.

Hamilton, cook 298, 299.

Hanniball, Mary's servant 298.

Harborne, Mr. 225.

Hardwick, Elizabeth 64.

Hargraves, Richard 388.

Harrison, James, martyr 60.

Harrys, Andrew 132, 133.

Hartley, Francis [Gifford] 258.

Harvey, Anthony, Poulet's father-
in-law 2, 20.

Hastings, Francis 82.

Hate, Edward 356.

Hatton, Sir Christopher, Vice-
Chamberlain 235, 260, 261, 287,
296, 300, 341.

Havre de Grace [Newhaven] 335,
392.

Haywood, Jasper 150.

Hearne 358.

Henry HI., King of France 84,
348, 370-

Henry Vn., King 332.

Henry, Nau's servant 298, 299.

Heyden, Robert 3, 22.

Hinton St. George i, 3, 358.

Hollocke [Hohenlohe] Count 342.

Hok, FatherWiniam,S.J. 150, 166.

Hotman, 21.

Howard, Lord, of Effingham, Lord
Admiral viii., 174, 373.

Hunsdon, Lord 28.

Huntingdonshire, soldiers from
311,364; Justices of 353.

Hygate, Thomas, priest 374.

Jackson, John, groom 298, 299.
James, King 25, 26, 28, 70, 116,

323-
James 117.
Jersey, Isle of x., xii., i, 19, 54, 55^

70, 121, 132, 133, 162, 174, 175,

294, 295.
Jessopp, Dr. 258.
John, Don xii., xxiii.

Keith 323.

Kennedy, Jane 298, 367, 371.

Kent, Earl of 365.

Kirkham, William 356.

Knight, Thomas, Poulet's servant

340.
Knollys, Sir Francis 76.

Labanoff, Prince 226 — 228, 236,
238, 239, 281, 287, 330.

Langford 22.

La Rue, Pere, S.J. 128, 129, 167,
195.

Laurea, Cardinal 218.

Lawder, John, panterer 298.

Lawrence, Curie's servant 298,299.

Leicester, Earl of, master of her
Majesty's race 45 ; his pohcy
X., xxii. ; Poulet out of liking
with 20, 68 ; letters from Poulet
vii., viii., 45, 64, 201, 320, 322 ;
letter to Poulet 67 ; to Walsing-
ham 349 ; thought by Catholics
to be a chief plotter 386 ;
recommends that Mary be
poisoned 392.

Leighton, Sir Thomas 120, 295.

Lemon, Mr. 377.

Lewis, Dr., Bishop of Cassano
235, 388.

Lichfield 210, 233, 239, 376.

Lichfield, Dean of 174.

Liggons, Mary's Ambassador in
Low Countries 166, 187.

Lily 386.

Lingard, Dr. 239, 274, 281, 306.

Littleton, Mr. 103, 269, 275.

London, Lord Mayor of 261.

Lorraine, Princess of xiv. xvii.

Love, Edward 374.

Lovell, Lady 374.

Lymberye, Edward 175.

Mackenzie, Dr. 358.
M'Roe 22.
Magale i8i.

398

Alphabetical Index.

Maine, Duke of 200.

Mandreville xiv.

Manners, John 158, 159, 252, 254,
272, 291.

Manners, Lady Gertrude 64.

Mareshall 154.

Mariani, Pietro [Barnes] 243, 381.

Marshalsea 375.

Marston, William 356.

Martyn, master-cook 298.

Mary Queen of Scots : removed
to Tutbury 27 ; to Chartley
120; to Tixall 252; to Chartley
273 ; to Fotheringay 293 ; letters
between her and Elizabeth 24,
78, 84, 330 ; her letter to Eliza-
beth delayed by Poulet 338 ; her
letters read by Poulet 34 ; cor-
respondence with Mauvissiere
27,38,78,83,84, 102,111, 154;
with Chateauneuf 84, 106, 120,
123, 137, 161, 188, 200, 202, 223,
225, 292 ; letters from Morgan
19, 112; her letter to Babington
226 — 234 ; minutes of it 280 ;
postscript 236 — 241 ; conversa-
tions with Poulet 7, 18, 37, 61,
63,73,77,95,105,175,215,300,
311, 325, 331 ; her household
56, 184, 298 ; her sickness 37,

n, 87, 93, 98, 137, 164, 197, 199,

300, 320; her alms 31, 39, 53,
62 ; her Maundy 161, 169 ;
jewels taken 265 ; "confidence
in Cherelles 85 ; baptizes Curie's
child 276.

Matthias, Archduke xxvii.

Maurice, Count 342.

Melville or Melvin, Andrew,
Mary's master of household
184, 215 ; free of practices 251 ;
orders respecting 269, 272, 277 ;
brought from Chartley 299 ;
separated from Mary 347, 350 ;
has charge of Mary's jewels
367 ; a Protestant 371 ; present
at Mary's funeral 372.

Mendoza, Don Bernardino, Span-
ish Ambassador in France 219;
letters from 87, 166, 237 ;
receives Ballard 145 ; and
Gifford 146; letters to 187, 218,
229, 230, 244, 313 ; Chateauneuf
warns Gifford against 256.

Mercier 240.

Mildmay, Sir Walter 273, 280, 294.

Michleover 32.

Milford Haven 354.

Mills, Francis, Walsingham's
secretary 259, 284, 343, 368.

Montpensier, Madame 383.

Mooreton, Robert, tailor 170,298.

Morgan, Thomas ; Poulet curious
of him in Paris xxiv., 8 ; Mary's
agent 86, 192 ; accused by
EHzabeth 93 ; letters to Mary
19, 112, 156, 166, 211 ; Mary's
letters to 119, 187, 199, 211, 235,
242 ; in the Bastile 19, 142 ;
Giiford introduced to Mary by
112, 151, 220; Gifford paid by
191 ; letters to Gifford 193, 225;
conversation with Gifford 242,
380 ; minute of letter to Bab-
ington 287.

Morice [Phelippes] 116.

Morley, Lord 300.

Morton, Daniel 60.

Mowbray, Barbara [Curie] 107,
110,111,135, 184,276,298,309,
366, 372.

Mowbray, Gillis 100, 107, 184, 298,
372.

Murray, Earl 334.

Nau, Mary's secretary 184; inter-
views with Poulet 12, 13, 18,30,
37,41, 77,85,88, 109, 136, 157,
208 ; sent to the Court by Mary
26 ; Poulet's dislike to 43 ;
causes discontent 52, 54 ; his
brother 70 ; Mary against him
108 ; letters to and from Che-
relles III, 126, 200; reports
Mary's illness 140, 186; letter
from Mauvissiere 154; wishes
to marry Elizabeth Pierrepont
176, 202 ; writes Mary's des-
patches 197,232,280, 284; letter
from Cordaillot 216; his letter
to Babington 224, 237, 241 ;
arrest 248, 251, 253, 255,259;
accusations and confessions 228
— 232, 239, 281, 284; his money
and Agnus Dei 293 ; note found
301; accounts 326, 341, 345;
accuses Gifford 382 ; thought to
be bribed 387.

Navarre, King of xxvii., 79, 303.

Nedewood Forest 46, 47.

Newhaven [Havre de Grace] 335,
392.

Alphabetical Index.

;99

Newport, Mr., steward to Earl of

Essex 196.
Nicholas, pastelar 298.
Nicolson, William, priest 385.
Nisbet, Henry 282.
Norfolk, Duke of xxv., xxix.
Norreys, Lord 4, 20, 164, 391.
Northamptonshire, soldiers from

311.
Northumberland, Earl of 40, 177.
Nottingham 'JT^ 80, 81.
Nuendr [Nieuwenar] Count 342.

Offley, Hugh 225, 278, 386.
Ogle, Mr. xi., xxix.
Oliver, Captain 322, 324.
O'Mullrain, Cornelius, Bishop of

Killaloe xiii.
Owen, Hugh 116, 167.
Oxford, Earl of 358.

Paget, Charles 31, 116, 144, 166,

167, 168, 187, 218, 221, 222, 229,
230,231,243,284,381.

Paget, Lord 31, 123, 129, 168, 174,
178, 179, 180, 198, 388.

Pagez, Bastian, Mary's servant
276, 298, 366.

Pagez' wife 135, 164, 184, 299, 366.

Paine, Hellyer 133, 134.

Pasquier, Mary's servant 208, 249,
269, 272, 277, 279, 284, 287, 326,
345, 346.

Paynter 278.

Pelham, Sir Henry 248.

Percy, turnbroche 298.

Perrot, Sir John, Deputy of Ire-
land viii., 55, 56, 352.

Persons, Fr. Robert, S.J. 150, 166,

168, 189, 219, 385.
Phelippes, Thomas, the deciphe-
rer 19, Z'j\ dealt with Morgan
86, 144 ; Morgan's account of
him 1 14 ; Mary's description of
him 119, 189; rewards 115;
veracity 117 ; Mary inquires
about him 120; at Chartley 123,
126, 146; deals with Gifford
142 ; letters from Gifford 216,
380 ; intercepts Mary's letter
149, 218 ; letters from Poulet
151, 169, 198, 201, 214, 246;
forwards Mary's letters when
read 166, 194 ; writes to Poulet
170, 212 ; letters to Walsingham

155, 218, 223, 225, 234 ; letters
from Walsingham 87, 189, 245,
278, 283, 284 ; petition to
James L 375.

Phillipps, carrier 162.

Piers, Dr. 386.

Pierrepont, Elizabeth, Mary's
companion 91, 184; her family
64 ; Nau wishes to marry her
176, 203 ; Mary wishes to part
from her 177; Mary asks Eliza-
beth to take her 187 ; arrange-
ments for leaving 197, 202 — 209,
259, 269, 272 ; rumour respect-
ing 265 ; her maid 276.

Pierrepont, Sir Henry 64, 156,
203 — 207, 216, 270.

Pietro [Gifford] 240.

Plouvart, Charles, embroiderer
298, 299.

Poley, Robert, spy 118, 144, 156,
211, 223, 224, 386, 387.

Pope, Elizabeth, Lady 21, 374.

Pope, Sir Thomas 374.

Pope, Lady 21.

Port, Sir John 76.

Poulet, Catherine, Lady 2, 20, 37,52.

Poulet, George, Bailiff of Jersey
3, 131, 132, 134, 155.

Poulet, Hugh 2.

Poulet, Sir Amias, Lieutenant and
Captain of Jersey, knighted,
Ambassador to France i ; his
letters from France xii. ; made
Privy Councillor 2, 5, 373 ; his
wife and children 2, 20, 22 ;
made Mary's keeper 4 ; his in-
structions 5, 53, 253 ; letters to,
from Queen Elizabeth 93, 255,
267, 295, 309 ; from Lord Burgh-
ley 272 ; from Walsingham 94,
100, 271, 272, 285, 286, 359 ;
from Davison 359 ; from Phe-
lippes 170, 212 ; his letters
(vide p. xH.) ; refuses to assas-
sinate Queen Mary 362 ; made
Chancellor of the Garter 2, 372,
374 ; dies 2, 373.

Poulet, Sir Anthony, Lieutenant
of Jersey 2, 54, 70, 120.

Poulet, Sir Hugh, Captain of
Jersey, Vice President of Wales
I ; marries Lady Pope 21, 374.

Poulett, the Earls i, 3.

Pridiox 385.

Puckering, Lord Keeper 374.

400

Alphabetical Index.

Ralf, Bourgoin's servant 298.
Raleigh, Sir Walter 341.
Randolph, English Ambassador

in Scotland 163.
Ridolfi XXV,

Rishton, Edward, priest 353.
Robert, groom 298, 299.
Robertson, Mr. xi., 288, 370.
Robinson, Robert [William Ster-

rell] 116.
Rogers [Berden], Thomas 168.
Ross, Bishop of 166, 187, 384.
Royston 297.
Russell, Lord 72.
Russo, Emilio 225, 226.
Rutland, Earl of 298.
Rutland, Mr. 140.
Rye 235.

Sadler, Sir Ralph, keeper of
the Queen of Scots x., 2, 4, 6, 37,
43, 48, 50, 56, 130, 138, 158, 182,
248 ; his letters 3, 7, 22, 56, 58 ;
blamed for leniency 7 ; leaves
Tutbury 10; agrees for three
posts 1 5 ; mentions du Preau
25.

St. John, Lord, of Bletso x., 4.

Salisbury, Earl of 117.

Salisbury, Thomas 389.

Sandys, Edwin, Archbishop of
York 305, 391.

Savage, John 256, 260, 389, 390.

Sampfield 355.

Sedan xxvii.

Sharpe, Alice, laundress 299.

Sharpe, Roger, the coachman 1 1,
13, 14, 42, 43, 50, 141, 298, 299,
366.

Sheffield 248.

Shrewsbury, Countess of 64, 95,
177, 208, 300.

Shrewsbury, Earl of, keeper of
the Queen of Scots x., 4, 37, 48,
59, 63, 64, 74, 76, 90, 248, 298,
365, 378.

Shulborowe 157.

Silvester, turnbroche 298.

Sismondi, xviii., xix.

Skinner [Piers] Dr. 386.

Somers, John, Sir Ralph Sadler's
assistant x., 4, 6, 10, 11, 12, 14,
^S^^^, 30, 34, 40, 43, 48, 50, 5i>
137, 368.

Stafford, Justices of viii., 130, 158,

159.

Stafford, Sir Edward, English Am-
bassador in France 93, 95, 257,
258, 381, 382.

Stafford, the Ambassador's brother

354-
Stallenge, Mr. viii., 300, 308, 310,.

311, 313-
Stamford 218.
Stanley, Sir William 386.
Star Chamber 304.
Sterrell, WiUiam 116.
Stilton 218, 233, 298.
Stockley Park 46, 47.
Strangvage xi.
Strype, John 266.
Stuart, Lord Charles x.
Symon, Mary's page 298.
Sydney, Sir Philip 305, 341.

Talbot, Lady Grace [Cavendish]

64, 67, 125.
Talbot 222.
Taylor, Robert 180.
Taylor, Thomas, a spy 59.
Theobalds 44, 297.
Thorowgood 235.
Thorpe, Mr. 247.
Throckmorton, Francis 112, 143.
Throckmorton, Thomas 112.
Tichborne, Chideock 389.
Tither, Priest 59.
Tittenhanger 374.
Tixall 94, 98, 102, 249, 264, 266,.

273, 288, 291, 298.
Trentham, Mr. 251, 269.
Tresham, Sir Thomas 222.
Tyrrell, Anthony, priest and spy

143, 388.
Tytler, Mr. 236, 237.
Tyttyn 375.

Tuchinor, Anthony 272, 389.
Tutbury 31 — no, 126 — 129, 131,.

172, 173, 179, 183.
Turlett, Mr. 355.

Urry, John 358.
Uttoxeter 94.

Vachel, spy 388.
V^rac xiv.

Vincent, Sir Francis 3.
Vitrye 85.

Waad, Sir William, clerk of the
Council ; sent to France i6 ;

Alphabetical Index.

401

hard usage there 17 ; examines
Phelippes 116; letter to Earl of
Salisbury 117; goes to Chartley
246 ; meets Poulet 248 ; seizes
Mary's papers 252, 261, 264,
268, 271 ; writes to Walsing-
ham 285 ; letter to Phelippes
287 ; writes to Poulet 288; note
of Mary's money 289 ; letter
to Davison 344.

WaUis, John 303.

Walpole, Fr. Henry, SJ. 258.

Walsingham, Sir Francis, Secre-
tary of State ; his letters, to
Sadler 5 ; to Poulet 94, 100,
271, 272, 285, 286, 359; to Phe-
lippes 87, 189, 245, 278, 283,
284 ; letters to, from Sadler 22 ;
from Poulet {vide p. xli.) ; from
Burghley 4, 297, 305 ; from
Phelippes 155, 218, 223, 225,
234 ; from Somers 6 ; from
Gifford 220.

Ward, Thomas, Constable of
Honiton 355, 356.

Welshe, Thomas 298.

Wenden, Dr. 59.

Westmoreland, Earl of xxiii
xxxi., 40. ^■-r'^'^

Weston, Fr. William, alias Ed-
monds, S.J., 150.

Whitgift, John, Archbishop of
Canterbury 305, 306, 391.

Wigmore, Richard 370.

Williams, Lord 4.

William of Nassau, Count 342.

Wilson, Thomas, Secretary of
State xxi., xxxiv., xxxvi.

Winchester, Marquisses of i.

Wingfield 59, "]-].

WoUey, Sir John, Chancellor of
the Garter 2, 374.

Wolsey, John 388.

Woodshawe, Edward, spy xxxi.

Woodward, Robert, a spy 59, 70.

Worcester, Marquis of 151.

Wotton, Sir Edward 265.

Wright, Mr. 373.

Yardley, Roger 262.
Yetsweirt, Nicasius 207, 259, 261,

263.
Yonge, Mr. 138.
Young, Justice 115, 156, 374, 388.

Zouch, Lord 300, 391.
Zouch, Sir John x., 69, 70.
Zutphen 305.

By the same Editor.

THE CONDITION OF CATHOLICS UNDER
JAMES I. Second Edition. London : Longmans, Green,
and Co. 1872. Demy Zvo, doth, i^s.

This work consists of two parts :

T. The Life of Father John Gerard, S.J., chiefly trans-
lated from the narrative of his missionary career in England,
written by him in Latin for his Superiors.

2. A Narrative of the Gunpowder Plot, written in
English by Father Gerard, and now first pubHshed from the
original Manuscript at Stonyhurst.

THE TROUBLES OF OUR CATHOLIC FORE-
FATHERS, related by themselves ; from hitherto unpublished
Manuscripts. First Series. London : Burns and Gates.
1872. Demy Svo, cloth, \os. 6d.
Contejits :

1. Mother Margaret Clement and the Carthusian

Monks.

2. The Imprisonment of Francis Tregian.

3. Father Tesimond's Landing in England.

4. Father Richard Blount and Scotney Castle.

5. The Babthorpes of Babthorpe.

6. St. Monica's Convent in War, Pestilence, and Poverty.

7. The Venetian Ambassador's Chaplain.

8. The Southcote Family.

9. The Tichbornes of Tichborne House.

A HUNDRED MEDITATIONS ON THE LOVE
OF GOD, by Father Robert Southwell, S.J., the Poet
and Martyr. Now first pubHshed. London: Burns and
Gates. 1873. Fcap. Svo, doth, ^s.

THE DEVOTIONS OF THE LADY LUCY HER-
BERT OF POWIS, formerly Prioress of the Augustinian
Nuns at Bruges. London: Burns and Gates. 1873. Fcap,
Svo, cloth, 3>f. dd.

By the Woodbuiy or permanent process^ is. each, or 'js. 6d. a dozen.

SIXTEEN PHOTOGRAPHS OF FATHERS OF THE
SOCIETY OF JESUS, CHIEFLY MARTYRS,

FROM PICTURES IN HOUSES OF THE. SOCIETY AT ROME.
From the Gesu.

FF. Campion, M; FF. Briant, M. FF. Cottam, M.
Garnet, M. Wright, M. Walpole, M.

Oldcorne, M. Filcock, M. Persons.

Holland, M. Cornelius, M. Haywood.

Fro7)i S.Andrea on Monte Cavallo.

FF. Weston and Darbyshire.

Fjvm the Roman College.

FF. Page and Ogilvy, MM.

Photographs of Portraits or Prints of English jNIartyrs from
other sources.

Sir Thoinias More (from a beautiful picture in the Barberini

Library at Rome).
Cardinal Fisher.
Archbishop Plunket.
FF. Ward,, Duckett, Green, alias Brooke, Tunstall, Genings,

Secular Priests.
F. Barlow, O.S.B.
FF. Bell, Bullaker, Heath, Woodcock, and Colman (who died

in prison), O.S.F.
FF. Campion, Whitbread, Morse, Wright, Holland, Corby,

Arrowsmith, Baker, S.J.
Richard Herst, layman.

Of these, ten are taken from the Portraits that for two hundred years have been
in the possession of the Teresian Nuns at Lanherne.

London : Burns and Oates, 17 Portman Street.

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